No.722902, Private, Bertie TATUM
Aged 24
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Bertie Tatum was born in Cockfield (1st qtr 1893 Cosford 4a:764), son of Henry and Charlotte Ann TATUM (née BRADLEY). Baptised in Cockfield on
30th April 1893. His father died in 1896.
1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Lavenham Road, Cockfield with his widowed mother Charlotte [50]; brothers Walter [19] farm labourer, and Charles [16],stockman on farm, and sister Constance [11]. All were born in Cockfield. 1911 census...Aged 18, a farm labourer, he was at Stows Hill, Cockfield with his mother The pension card has his mother still at Stows Hill, Cockfield.. |
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He enlisted in Lavenham
The Battalion war diary has:- Sunday 4th Nov. 1917 - At 4:30 p.m. "A" and "B" Coys with 2 sections "C" and "D" Coys, carry out a raid with 2 Coys 23rd Bn on enemy front and support lines on a front of 600 yards E and SE of GAVRELLE VILLAGE. All objectives reached and raid successful in all respects. Congratulatory messages received from Army, Corps, Divisional and Brigade Commanders. From the appendix it is found that they captured 2 other ranks of the 459th I.R., 2 light machine guns and quantities of documents, rifles etc. Over 65 killed. Our casualties, from 8 officers and 231 OR engaged were 2 officers wounded, 2 OR killed and 8 wounded. During the night a search party under 2nd Lt J.W. CARR voluntarily went out to find the body of one of the killed, this was eventually recovered from the enemy wire. The other man was so blown to pieces that it was impossible to recover him.
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