Lance Corporal Bert Gardner

Rank or Title

Date of Birth

1884

Date of Death

18 Nov 1918

Media files and documents

War time / or Pre War occupation

Clerk

Employer

Hat manufacturers Woolmer & Browning, Reginald Street

Regiment

Service Number

231716

Place of Birth

Luton
United Kingdom

World War I Address

76 Dane Road
Luton
United Kingdom

Place of Death

Fort Pitt Military Hospital
Chatham
United Kingdom

Grave Location

Plot 6230
Rothesay Road
Luton
United Kingdom

War Memorial Location

Soldier or Civilian

  • Soldier

Source

The Luton News , 28th November 1918
L-Cpl Bert Gardner

Bert Gardner was born in Luton in 1884, 1 of 12 children born to Philip & Mary (aka Kate).

In 1911 Bert is 20 years old & working as an assistant for a straw hat manufacturer. He is living at No 25 Stockwood Crescent, a 6 roomed house with his father Philip, 64 a mercantile clerk, his 64 year old mother Mary & 2 of his siblings. His sister Maud is 32 & a straw hat finisher & his brother Frederick William is 30 & is also an assistant for a straw hat manufacturer. Florence Joy is living with them as their general domestic servant.

On 20th November 1915 Bert marries Ellen Batchelor at the parish church.

On 11th December 1915 Bert tried to enlist but a medical board rejected him due to arthritis in his toes on both feet, but he tried again & on 15th January 1917 he was accepted into the Royal Engineers. On 17th May 1917 he was transferred to the 5th Provisional Company, part of the home service defence. He did not serve overseas, he spent the duration of the war at the depot as a clerk proficient.

On 12 November 1918, the day after the armistice was signed, Bert was admitted to the Fort Pitt Hospital in Chatham. He had been suffering from a cold that had developed into influenza contracted whilst on military service. Sadly, 6 days later on 18th November at 2.40 am Bert died of pneumonia.

Bert is buried in the cemetery on Rothesay Road.

Individual Location

Author: KarenC

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