Garnham, Bert – Killed six weeks before war ended

Bert Garnham (1897-1918)

HERBERT Garnham was killed in action just six weeks before the end of the Great War having joined the RGA in October 1915. Not only was his death close to the end of hostilities, he should have been on leave.

It had been over a year since his last home visit.

Most of his war was in France and was present at Ypres, Arras and the Somme.

Corporal Graham was popular with his men and occurs alike.

An officer once described him as: ”As brave as a lion who never knew what fear meant. He was in every way a good soldier and a true hearted comradely.”

Another said: “I have known him 18 months during which time he had been one of the most trusted NCOs, ever ready to do his duty well and set an example of courage and steadiness to the men in his charge.”

At his death he was acting sergeant.

He was Annie Pougher’s youngest son, born in Grimsby, educated at South Parade and continued his education at Spittlegate School when the family moved to Little Ponton.

His Army pension of 13s 2d (68p) per week supplemented his mother’s 10s (50p) state pension.

He worked on his step father’s farm and delivered milk. On one occasion he was summonsed for adulterating the milk by topping up his churn with water.

He worked at Hornsby’s until the outbreak of war when he took work erecting Army huts at Belton Camp.