BERTRAM WILLIAM PITT HUGHES
Regimental No. 69350
12 May 1898 – 8 October 1918
Bertram William Pitt Hughes was, like Delroy Packer, born in Australia. His birthplace was Launceston, Tasmania and his parents were William Blanchard Hughes and Edith Lillian Hughes nee Pitt. Born 12 May 1898, he had at least one brother and one sister. Apparently Bertram’s father died when he was young and his mother brought the children to New Zealand to live. She first appears on the NZ Electoral Roll for 1905/06 living as a married woman at 11 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon.[1] There is no entry for a Mr Hughes. She was at the same address in the 1911 Electoral Roll, but by the time it was next published in 1914 she had moved to 148 Willis Street. These addresses are some distance from Roseneath, so it is unclear why Bertram’s name would be on a memorial in Roseneath.
Bertram’s military personnel file at Archives New Zealand contains two versions of his Attestation. A typewritten version dated 30 July 1917 stated that he was born on 25 July 1897, that he had lived in New Zealand for 20 years, and his mother for 10 years. A handwritten version, dated 17 September 1917 gives his date of birth as 12 May 1898, and states that he and his mother had both been resident in New Zealand for 14 years. In the former his occupation is bookbinder, and the latter it is apprentice bookbinder. Both versions record that his father had never lived in New Zealand, that he had previous military experience with the Garrison Artillery, and that he lived in Hanover Street, Wadestown, and he worked for the Government Printer[2]. Both versions also attest that he was responsible for some financial support for his mother.
Bertram was also medically examined several times between July 1916 and September 1917. On each occasion he was passed as fit for active service. He is described as being about 5 ft 6 inches tall, of dark complexion, with brown eyes and hair, and of the Presbyterian faith. His age ranges from 20 years to 20 years 2 months during this period.
Bertram was promoted twice during training in New Zealand – to Lance Corporal on 16 November 1917, and to Corporal on 5 February 1918, shortly before departing New Zealand with the 34th Reinforcements. Bertram and others embarked on 8th February 1918, in HMNZT100 on the Ulimaroa which arrived in Liverpool on 29th March. This was the same transport which took Delroy Packer with C Company, Canterbury Infantry Regiment to war. Bertram though was signed on to A Company, Auckland Infantry Regiment. Again, like Delroy, he went first to Bracton, then to Sling Camp. Between April and the beginning of September he was shuffled back and forth between Sling and Larkhill camps, with a short interlude in hospital at Tidworth with influenza. He was finally sent to Rouen on the 16th September, and just over three weeks later he was dead, killed in action.
The report confirming Bertram’s death was made by the Officer in Charge of the 1st Battalion of the Otago Regiment, with whom he had been serving for several months.
Bertram was initially buried in Hilltop Cemetery, Lesdain, between Lesdain and Seranvillers, to the south of Cambrai, which contained the graves of 17 New Zealand and six German soldiers who fell in October, 1918. After the Armistice he and others were moved to Naves Communal Cemetery Extension, on the outskirts of the small village of Naves, where there are now nearly 450 graves in a small area at the back of the village cemetery. Bertam is buried amongst 9 other men from the Otago Regiment who also died on 8th October. They and Bertram would previously have been involved in the Battle of Cambrai in the late days of September and the first few days of October, which was one of many major offensives to puncture the Hindenburg Line. The next phase of the offensive was a British attack by the Fourth and Third Armies on a front of 17 miles, to which General Haig gave the name of the Second Battle of Le Cateau. There is a detailed description of the Battle available online at http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-Fran-t1-body1-d14.html on page 521 of The New Zealand Division 1916 - 1919: A Popular History Based on Official Records Chapter XIV. — The Second Battle of Le Cateau.
Bertram’s medals were sent to his mother, who seems to have returned to Australia to live after the war. His death appears to have received no public acknowledgement as there is no death notice in the Evening Post, nor memorial notices in the years thereafter. Bertram had only just turned 20 when he died, so had not yet left his mark on the world.
Research material provided by Melva Woods and supplemented by Barbara Mulligan
[1] Now occupied by Queen Margaret’s College
[2] Mulgrave Street, Thorndon
Regimental No. 69350
12 May 1898 – 8 October 1918
Bertram William Pitt Hughes was, like Delroy Packer, born in Australia. His birthplace was Launceston, Tasmania and his parents were William Blanchard Hughes and Edith Lillian Hughes nee Pitt. Born 12 May 1898, he had at least one brother and one sister. Apparently Bertram’s father died when he was young and his mother brought the children to New Zealand to live. She first appears on the NZ Electoral Roll for 1905/06 living as a married woman at 11 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon.[1] There is no entry for a Mr Hughes. She was at the same address in the 1911 Electoral Roll, but by the time it was next published in 1914 she had moved to 148 Willis Street. These addresses are some distance from Roseneath, so it is unclear why Bertram’s name would be on a memorial in Roseneath.
Bertram’s military personnel file at Archives New Zealand contains two versions of his Attestation. A typewritten version dated 30 July 1917 stated that he was born on 25 July 1897, that he had lived in New Zealand for 20 years, and his mother for 10 years. A handwritten version, dated 17 September 1917 gives his date of birth as 12 May 1898, and states that he and his mother had both been resident in New Zealand for 14 years. In the former his occupation is bookbinder, and the latter it is apprentice bookbinder. Both versions record that his father had never lived in New Zealand, that he had previous military experience with the Garrison Artillery, and that he lived in Hanover Street, Wadestown, and he worked for the Government Printer[2]. Both versions also attest that he was responsible for some financial support for his mother.
Bertram was also medically examined several times between July 1916 and September 1917. On each occasion he was passed as fit for active service. He is described as being about 5 ft 6 inches tall, of dark complexion, with brown eyes and hair, and of the Presbyterian faith. His age ranges from 20 years to 20 years 2 months during this period.
Bertram was promoted twice during training in New Zealand – to Lance Corporal on 16 November 1917, and to Corporal on 5 February 1918, shortly before departing New Zealand with the 34th Reinforcements. Bertram and others embarked on 8th February 1918, in HMNZT100 on the Ulimaroa which arrived in Liverpool on 29th March. This was the same transport which took Delroy Packer with C Company, Canterbury Infantry Regiment to war. Bertram though was signed on to A Company, Auckland Infantry Regiment. Again, like Delroy, he went first to Bracton, then to Sling Camp. Between April and the beginning of September he was shuffled back and forth between Sling and Larkhill camps, with a short interlude in hospital at Tidworth with influenza. He was finally sent to Rouen on the 16th September, and just over three weeks later he was dead, killed in action.
The report confirming Bertram’s death was made by the Officer in Charge of the 1st Battalion of the Otago Regiment, with whom he had been serving for several months.
Bertram was initially buried in Hilltop Cemetery, Lesdain, between Lesdain and Seranvillers, to the south of Cambrai, which contained the graves of 17 New Zealand and six German soldiers who fell in October, 1918. After the Armistice he and others were moved to Naves Communal Cemetery Extension, on the outskirts of the small village of Naves, where there are now nearly 450 graves in a small area at the back of the village cemetery. Bertam is buried amongst 9 other men from the Otago Regiment who also died on 8th October. They and Bertram would previously have been involved in the Battle of Cambrai in the late days of September and the first few days of October, which was one of many major offensives to puncture the Hindenburg Line. The next phase of the offensive was a British attack by the Fourth and Third Armies on a front of 17 miles, to which General Haig gave the name of the Second Battle of Le Cateau. There is a detailed description of the Battle available online at http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-Fran-t1-body1-d14.html on page 521 of The New Zealand Division 1916 - 1919: A Popular History Based on Official Records Chapter XIV. — The Second Battle of Le Cateau.
Bertram’s medals were sent to his mother, who seems to have returned to Australia to live after the war. His death appears to have received no public acknowledgement as there is no death notice in the Evening Post, nor memorial notices in the years thereafter. Bertram had only just turned 20 when he died, so had not yet left his mark on the world.
Research material provided by Melva Woods and supplemented by Barbara Mulligan
[1] Now occupied by Queen Margaret’s College
[2] Mulgrave Street, Thorndon