No.21158, Private, Bertie Neville PETCH
Aged 19
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Born in 1898 (2nd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:804) son of Henry James and Hannah Jane PETCH (née STILL)
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at 6 Prospect Row, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Henry J PETCH [40] groom born Fornham St Martin; his mother Hannah J [40] born Felsham; brothers Ernest W [17] gardener, Oscar W [8] and Frederick J [2]; sisters Ada B [14], Grace E [13], Mabel M [12], Ivy E [6]. All the children were born in Bury St.Edmunds His father died in 1905 1911 census...Aged 13, he was still at 6 Prospect Row with his widowed mother; brothers Ernest (unemployed), Oscar (corn merchant's assistant) and Frederick. His brother Oscar William was killed in 1916 see here His brother Frederick John died of disease in 1918 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
War Diary 5th...400 yards W of HULLUCH 5:30 am 5 rum jars on Centre Coy 2 am 1 Minnie and 3:15 am two more on left Coy Support Line on left defended are. 4:15 am - 5:5 am Darts on left Coy one of which fell in No.5 CRATER POST causing 3 casualties. Enemy dummy head seen in enemy front line opposite Centre Coy about 10 am 2 pm - 3 pm Our Heavy T.M. fired 11 rounds into HULLUCH, one falling short into No MANS LAND doing no damage. While it was in action 2 enemy aeroplanes flew over our line. One dropped a red light, but they both flew back when one of our aeroplanes approached. At 3 pm 2 heavy shells near RESERVE LINE, probably searching for our Heavy T.M. emplacement. Our field artillery immediately retaliated with a 30 sec. heavy barrage on enemy's support line opposite our Centre Coy. Bertie's was the only death in the Battalion that day
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