Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, near
Arras
Notice of Death appears in Jersey Evening
Post of Monday 16 April 1917
Commemorated on Grouville Parish Memorial
La Rocque Methodist Church Memorial
NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post
of Saturday 14 April 1917
Roll of Honour. Yet another Jerseyman,
Private E Bertram of the Canadians, has made the supreme
sacrifice. This young soldier was the eldest son of
Mrs J Le Clercq of La Rocque, his father being drowned
at the conger grounds some years ago. He left for Canada
a few years back and enlisting shortly after the outbreak
of hostilities was in the Island on leave at Christmas,
and left for the Front shortly afterwards. The sad news
was conveyed to the mother by the Chaplain of the 44th
Canadian Infantry who writes as follows "France.
8 April 1917. Dear Mrs Le Clercq, It is my sad duty
to inform you of the death of your son, Private E Bertram
292448 of 44th Canadian Infantry on 6 April 1917. He
was returning home with his comrades in the Machine
Gun section when a shell unexpectedly landed and your
son was killed instantly, the others were wounded. Death
was instantaneous so he was spared suffering. I understand
that he has but lately come to the Battalion and it
is extremely sad. In these days one never knows where
the blow will strike and our sympathy goes out to you
in your sudden sorrow. When any of us are taken while
in the path of duty we cannot help but feel that the
cause is in other hands than ours. Yesterday we laid
your boy's remains away in their last resting place
in a cemetery sacred to the memory of the Allied Force,
with a simple burial service and the Military Honours
due to a fallen comrade we laid him away. A cross marks
the spot bearing his name. number, unit and date of
death. The place will be carefully marked and neatly
kept. May there be this consolation in your sorrow,
that your son died while in the execution of his duties.
May God give you strength to bear the sacrifice you
have been called upon to make for the Nation's sake
in the hour of its need. Yours in deepest sympathy,
GEORGE FARQUHER, Chaplain 44th Canadian Infantry".
We tender the bereaved mother and other relatives our
sincere sympathy.
