L/Cpl. 65038,Bertram John White, R.E.
Item
Title
L/Cpl. 65038,Bertram John White, R.E.
Who?
Bertram John White
Item(s)
Photograph
Story
Bertram John White was born at Cobham, Surrey, on the 4th September 1879. He was the youngest child of George White (1845 to 1905) and Emily White (nee Miles), (1846 to 1928). George was a carpenter, latterly estate carpenter at Painshill. Bertram’s elder siblings were Arthur (born 1867), George (1869), Walter (1872), Agnes (1874 to 1929) and Eustace (1877).
As a young man, Bertram joined the army and took part in the relief of Ladysmith during the Boer (South African) war. After completing his service, he travelled in South America and the USA. By 1912 he was employed as a carpenter at the North-East Argentine Railway (F.C.N.E.A.) at Monte Caseros, Corrientes. His brother Arthur was also employed by the F.C.N.E.A. and Walter was elsewhere in Argentina. Eustace is believed to have gone to New York. Agnes never married and was a domestic servant and later a children's governess.
After the outbreak of the Great War, Bertram offered his services at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires. Sailing home on “Alcantara”, he reached Liverpool on the 28th December 1914. He joined the Royal Engineers on the 20th January 1915, with the service number of 65038, reaching the rank of Lance-Corporal. His address on enlistment was given as Glenhurst, Cobham (believed to be Agnes’ address).
Initially with the 130th Field Company at Aldershot, he was later at the R.E. Training Centre at Newark-on-Trent and finally with the Tyne Electrical Engineers. After ill-health he left the army on 28th September 1918, being granted a Silver War Badge.
Upon discharge, Bertram returned to Newark to marry Winifred Spencer. Their only child, Kathleen Agnes was born in 1919 (Winifred already had a son, Edgar). The family settled in Offord D’Arcy near Huntingdon. Bertram worked as a carpenter, engineer and mill wright. He died in 1965.
As a young man, Bertram joined the army and took part in the relief of Ladysmith during the Boer (South African) war. After completing his service, he travelled in South America and the USA. By 1912 he was employed as a carpenter at the North-East Argentine Railway (F.C.N.E.A.) at Monte Caseros, Corrientes. His brother Arthur was also employed by the F.C.N.E.A. and Walter was elsewhere in Argentina. Eustace is believed to have gone to New York. Agnes never married and was a domestic servant and later a children's governess.
After the outbreak of the Great War, Bertram offered his services at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires. Sailing home on “Alcantara”, he reached Liverpool on the 28th December 1914. He joined the Royal Engineers on the 20th January 1915, with the service number of 65038, reaching the rank of Lance-Corporal. His address on enlistment was given as Glenhurst, Cobham (believed to be Agnes’ address).
Initially with the 130th Field Company at Aldershot, he was later at the R.E. Training Centre at Newark-on-Trent and finally with the Tyne Electrical Engineers. After ill-health he left the army on 28th September 1918, being granted a Silver War Badge.
Upon discharge, Bertram returned to Newark to marry Winifred Spencer. Their only child, Kathleen Agnes was born in 1919 (Winifred already had a son, Edgar). The family settled in Offord D’Arcy near Huntingdon. Bertram worked as a carpenter, engineer and mill wright. He died in 1965.
When?
20/01/1915
Where?
Cobham
Contributor
A. Carter
Other Media
This item was submitted on May 3, 2019