William Bertram

Early Life

William was the son of William and Adelaide Bertram and the husband of Ethel A Bertram. Their early married life was spent at Kersewell, Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Service Life

William had a long military career, which included service in the Egyptian expedition of 1882.

During the course of this campaign, William, then a Lieutenant, was attached to a Mounted Infantry Company, which formed part of the garrison of Alexandria, Egypt.

William also served during the South African War before retiring from the Army in 1900. William re-enlisted in 1914, serving with the 11th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, as a Major.

For his service in the army, William was awarded the Egypt Medal, Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for service in the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony as well as the Khedive’s Star. William’s medals can be seen on display in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

We Shall Remember Him

William died on 18th February 1915 of a sudden and unknown illness. He was 55 years old. William is buried in Culter Parish Churchyard, Lanarkshire, Scotland (Grave/Memorial Reference - 521). Details of Williams’ funeral can be found in Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre (MR3/17/87). His Next of Kin Memorial Plaque is on display in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in the Ladysmith Gallery memorial cabinet drawer 3.