Bertie was born, in Bramford, on 3rd September 1887 to Harry and Mary Ann Lockwood. In 1901 the family lived in The Street and Bertie, 14, was working as a Grocers Assistant. Bertie married Rose Ruth Lily Peters, from Coddenham, on 27th October 1906. In 1911 they were living in The Street (at what is now No 42) and Bertie was working as a labourer at a “chemical manure factory”. He does not appear on the Edward Packard & Co Roll of Service and therefore he probably worked for Fisons. Bertie had served briefly in the Suffolk, from 1902 to 1903, as a Regular soldier. His stated age was 18 but clearly, he was only 15. He was discharged as “not being likely to become an efficient soldier”. On enlistment he was about 5ft 4ins tall and weighed a little over 8 stone (less than 50 Kg) so it is likely that even after training he did not attain the physical attributes required by the army. The photograph of him in uniform is taken when he was much older than and indicates service during the war. No records have survived that give any details of his wartime army career, but he is wearing the Suffolk Regiment cap badge.
Information from family sources indicate that Bertie did not serve abroad and therefore would not have a Medal Index Card. He lost a leg in an accident at work after the war. Bertie died in 1963.
Footnote
I used to live two doors away from the Lockwoods and remember them as an elderly couple as I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. My grandfather knew Bertie by the nickname “Tin Man” because of his artificial leg.
Recent Comments