BERTRAM BURFOOT

Private, 18547, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
Died of Wounds, 14 December 1917, at Le Tréport, near Dieppe, France, aged 20
Buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Tréport, Grave VI.D.11A
 

Bertram Burfoot
Click to enlarge

Private Bertram Burfoot, 3rd Battalion, the Coldstream Guards, was born in Tonbridge, Kent, in 1897. He was the son of Horace (b. 1870), listed as a licensed victualler in the 1901 census, and Kate (née Ashby) Burfoot. Horace ran the Black Horse pub in Wilmington, Sussex. By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to Nutley and his father was listed as a gardener.

Bertram was the second of five sons. His youngest brother Wilfred died during the Second World War on 12 February 1943 of natural causes on board the troopship HT Duchess of Richmond en route to the Far East. He was aged about 36 and was buried at sea. He is listed on the Singapore Memorial, Column 427.

Bertram, now living with his parents at Wren's Warren, Hartfield, enlisted at East Grinstead in July 1916. He died of wounds in the face, back and right forearm, and subsequent gas gangrene on 14 December 1917 at Le Tréport, near Dieppe, aged 20. He is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Tréport, Grave VI.D.11A.

Newspaper report of death
Click to enlarge

In November-December 1917 the 3rd Battalion, the Coldstream Guards fought in the Battle of Cambrai, at Gonnelieu, Gouzaucourt and Gauche Wood, losing 125 officers and 2,966 men. At the end of November 1917 the 3rd Battalion was defending the Bapaume Cambrai road.

Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport
Click to enlarge

During the First World War Le Tréport was an important hospital centre and by July 1916, the town contained three general hospitals (the 3rd, 16th and 2nd Canadian), No.3 Convalescent Depot and Lady Murray's B.R.C.S. Hospital. As the original military cemetery at Le Tréport filled, it became necessary to use the new site at Mont Huon.

Bertram left £14 and 9 shillings to his father in his will.

Listed on the war memorials in Coleman's Hatch and Hartfield.

Carol O'Driscoll