Private 690841 Bert “Bertie” Welsh of the 119th Battalion, Canadian Infantry - the Central Ontario Regiment, was born at Seaford, Sussex on the 8th of June 1885, the son of James Welsh and Caroline Stephens of Bridge Cottage, Barcombe. James had clearly left home at an early age as the 1901 census records him as lodging at Seaford.
As for the remainder of the family, looking at the 1911 census; James, aged 55, was a railway porter, born at Bracknell in Berkshire. Caroline, aged 56, was born at Firle and the couple had been married for 34 years and had produced six children, one of whom had died in childhood. Children at home were son Ernest, aged 33, born at Seaford and employed as a railway guard; his wife Nellie, aged 31 and born Willesborough, near Ashford Kent. Daughter Gertrude, aged 24, born at Seaford and employed as a teacher and 21 year old Percy who was born at Seaford and was employed as a railway clerk. Grandson Arthur, aged 5 months, born at Eastbourne was also living there.
Bertie emigrated to Canada where he married Lillie Tingle on the 30th of May 1907. The couple resided at 77, Ray Street, North, Hamilton, Ontario.
Employed as a baker, he enlisted at Hamilton on the 8th of April, 1916. His enlistment paper records that he had previously served two years with the Imperial Yeomanry. His unit sailed for England on the 13th of November, 1916.
On the 19th of January 1917 he transferred to the 2nd Canadian Reserve Battalion at Shoreham on Sea. On the 20th of April he was appointed Corporal. The Battalion moved to Bramshott and then Sandling before landing in France on the 10th of August 1917.
Bertie was declared killed in action on the 1st of October 1918, aged 36, and is remembered at Barcombe, Sussex, on the village war memorial and on the grave of his brother Percy who died on the 18th of January 1919, aged 29.
Although of military age, no record is evident of Percy ever serving in the forces, he seems to have continued his job as a railway porter.
Bertie is buried Drummond Cemetery, Raillencourt, between Arras and Cambrai. Lillie received a war gratuity of $100.
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