Bertie - A Life in Letters

Bertie, a middle-class Englishman, and decorated career artillery officer, lived through two world wars. He was awarded the Military Cross, the Croix de Guerre from the French, and an OBE.


His story is told through the letters he sent home from the Western Front, illustrated by a private collection of photographs, postcards, maps, and other documents including 108 Heavy Battery's War Diary. The book describes the tactical artillery engagements and the day-to-day activities of his battery throughout the war.


Bertie’s letters paint a vivid and sometimes humorous picture of the harsh and difficult conditions faced by the artillery, some experiences similar to the “British Tommy" infantryman, others unique to an artillery officer, better protected behind the lines, yet always facing the hazard of enemy counter-battery artillery fire.


After a spell of leave at home in England, Bertie returned to the front but, due to a delayed channel crossing caused by bad weather, he missed his railhead collection meeting. Trudging several miles along shell-damaged tracks through the mud in bad weather he returned to his battery carrying an 8-pound ham and a box of kippers as treats for his men.


Bertie survived the war to be posted to India’s North-West Frontier region where life took an unexpected turn after the premature death of his wife.


Bertie’s story follows the change in British middle-class aspiration from the height of Empire to post-WW2 Britain, reflecting Britain’s altered position and level of influence during this period.