Driver Bertie Frederick Eales, 797123, 246th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action on October 14th, 1918. In a letter of sympathy widow Ellen Emma Eales, Sgt W. H. Senior wrote: “It was caused by hard luck, just a chance shell that happened to be fatal for that team. I was not present when it happened, being at the guns for which your husband was fetching ammunition.”

Bertie Eales had worked as a warehouseman for hat manufacturers Messrs R. Burley, of Old Bedford Road, until March 1915, when he enlisted. After six months training he was sent to France, served there for over two years. At the time of his death he was expecting home leave.

Bertie was born in Luton in 1886 to Edwin and Kate Eales. His father died in 1902 and his mother remarried, his stepfather being Arthur Atkin.

On March 18th, 1911, Bertie married Ellen Emma Shaw at Luton Parish Church. They lived first at 104 Bury Park Road and later at 17 Pondwicks Road, Luton, where Ellen received the new of her husband's death.