No.14059, Lance Corporal, Bertie SHELDRICK
Aged 24
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Bertie Frederick Sheldrick was born on 1st March 1891 in Isleham (Newmarket Q1-1891 3B:567), baptised on 29th March 1891 in Isleham,the son of Edward and
Eliza SHELDRICK (née GARDNER).
1891 census...Aged 1 month, he was at West Street, Isleham, with his father Edward SHELDRICK [49] Butcher/market gardener; his mother Eliza [48] born Kirton, Suffolk; brother Thomas [20] general labourer; sister Mary [17]; brothers George F.[8], Edward[4], and Charles [3]. All except his mother were born in Isleham. 1901 census...Aged 10, he was at West Street. Isleham still with his parents and brothers Thomas, Edward, George F. and Charles who were all agricultural labourers. 1911 census...Aged 20, he was still single and in West Street, Isleham with his parents and brother Charles. In 1915 in 3rd quarter in Cambridge he married Gertrude PALMER [23-1-1891]. |
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Enlisted in Newmarket. His service records have not been found. The war diary of the 8th Battalion for 21st September simply say "Companies relieved each other, as on 19th Inst.No.2 Coy moving into support". The battalion had just 2 die in the previous 8 days. The Newmarket Journal of 2nd October 1915 reported :- DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY - The sad news of the death of Lce-Corpl. Bert.Sheldrick, 8th Batt. Suffolk Regt., a son of the late Mr. Edwd.Sheldrick, market gardener, West Street, cast a gloom over the whole parish on Saturday afternoon. He was shot in the head by a German sniper at mid-day on Tuesday and killed instantly. A fine sturdy young man, upright, industrious and always ready to help in any good cause, the deceased was a general favourite, his kindly disposition winning him a host of friends. By all classes, from the highest downwards, he was held in the highest esteem. He was a valued member of the church choir and of St Andrew's Institute; and an active member of the local Court of Foresters. A notable athlete he was, only a short time ago, a successful competitor in the great military sports on Salisbury Plain, winning two or three events. A leading member of the Isleham Cricket Club, he was a good all round cricketer, and an especially good batsman. He sometimes opened the innings with the captain of the club and the pair usually gave the team a good score to begin with. As a cricketer he was widely known in the district; and he will be greatly missed by the club. His widow and his family..... ...Regt, writing to Mrs. Sheldrick on Sept.21st said:-"I very much regret to have to inform you that your son was killed in the trenches at twenty minutes to twelve this morning. He was observing the fire at a German sniper through a loophole, and was unfortunately shot through the head. He died immediately and, I should think, without pain. He was one of my best n.c.o's, always looking after his men well and conscientiously doing his duty. I am very sorry indeed to lose him, as also, I am sure, will all those who have ever had to do with him. I am enclosing the last letter he wrote to you, this morning". One of Lance-Corpl Sheldrick's comrades, W.C.Cornwell of C Co, 8th Suffolks, states in a very sympathetic letter, that another man was firing through a loophole and Bert was watching the effect of the shot when a German bullet hit him. "There is not a man in the Company", he adds "but mourns his loss. He was liked by everyone, n.c.o's and officers included. As for myself, I never had a better pal, or anyone better to get along with. Being with him so much and knowing him so well we often had some talk together. I cannot realise that he is gone. With our sergeant and three men I saw him buried this morning. he was put in a single grave,and his chaplain conducted the service. I need not say, dear Mrs. Sheldrick, that you have the deepest sympathy of us Isleham boys and many others that are left behind, and our prayer is that God may give you grace to bear this great trouble". On Sunday, at the parish church, the Vicar made a touching reference to the deceased, alluding to the fact that he was a member of the choir for many years. Special prayer was offered for the bereaved. The hymns were "Thy will be done", "Rock of Ages" and "Lead kindly light", and an impressive service closed with the playing of the Dead March in Saul by the organist, Mr. W. Fyson. |
photo; Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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