MILITARY HISTORY
Private Bertin “Bertie” Theodore Watley – 195633 – Active Service (World War I)
On February 2nd, 1916 Bertie Theodore Watley completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 18 years, and 9 months old, when as a single man; he enlisted for the duration of the War. Bertie Watley indicated that he was born in Dummer Township, Peterborough County, Ontario, and gave his birth date as May 4th, 1898.
The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated or to what level. As far as prior military service and/or experience, he indicated that he had served with the 46th Regiment Militia. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists ”Farmer”. Bertie was 5′ 3” tall, and had a 35” chest (expanded). He had a sandy complexion, brown eyes, and light hair.
His medical examination took place February 1st, 1916 in Peterborough, Ontario. He had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit, for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
His next-of-kin was listed as his mother, Mrs. Mina Watley of Lakefield, Ontario. Bertie Theodore Watley signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation on February 2nd, 1916 in Peterborough, Ontario. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on February 4th, 1916 also in Peterborough.
Bertie Theodore Watley was taken-on-strength with the 93rd Battalion (Peterborough), as a Private, and was assigned Regimental Service Number 195633.
The Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit was signed February 4th, 1916.
Pte. Watley embarked from Halifax July 15th, 1916 with the 93rd Battalion and arrived at Liverpool on July 25th, 1916.
August 22nd, 1916 Private Watley was admitted to the Military Hospital, at Otterpool with Appendicitis. He was transferred to Moore Barracks Hospital on August 25th. On the 26th, he was transferred to a Military Hospital, at Shorncliffe, where he stayed until October 2nd, when he was discharged.
October 6th, 1916 he was transferred from the 93rd Battalion, and taken-on-strength with the 39th Reserve Battalion, at West Sandling.
December 5th, 1916 he was struck-off-strength from the 39th Reserve Battalion, on proceeding Overseas to France, where he was taken-on-strength with the 87th Battalion (Overseas), in the field, on December 6th, 1916. This would have been at the Canadian Base Depot, at Le Havre, France.
The 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) was raised September 1915, in Montreal. In France it was part of the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Infantry Division.
On January 4th, 1917 he proceeded to join the 4th E.B, joining on the 6th. Research failed to reveal what this designation 4th E.B. stood for.
April 21st, the File indicates he ”joined Unit”. No other information is provided.
Assuming the Unit referred to was the 87th Battalion, the War Diary of the 87th Cdn. Inf. Bn. War Diary was used.
April 1917 – the Battalion was in billets at St. Lawrence Camp, at Chateau-de-la-Haie, where it remained to the end of the month. The men were engaged in work parties working on tramlines (light railways), and training per the syllabus (no breakdown of what this entailed is provided). On the 30th, the Battalion moved to Niagara Camp, in the same area. On this day 19 officers and 508 other ranks arrived as reinforcements from the 60th Canadian Infantry Battalion; bringing the total effective strength of the Battalion to: 53 officers, and 1503 other ranks, with 42 officers, and 1269 other ranks available for the trenches.
May 1917 – from the 1st to the 9th, the men continued to train per syllabus. On the afternoon, of the 10th, the Battalion (33 officers and 892 other ranks) marched from Niagara Camp, and proceeded to and area identified as the Quarries, in the Zouave Valley, where it was in close support. The evening of the 11th, the Battalion moved forward, over Vimy Ridge and in the early hours of the 12th, relieved the 44th Cdn. Inf. Bn, on the front line. Enemy artillery intermittently fired on the Battalion position, throughout the day. Battalion patrols were active, at night, in no-mans-land. Over the next several days, a pattern developed of exchanging artillery, and trench mortar fire. Battalion snipers were quite busy, scoring a number of hits. During the night of the 15/16th, information was received, that the enemy opposite the Battalion’s line had withdrawn. Wanting to take advantage, 4 strong patrols were sent forward. The enemy were found, still in place, and very alert. A lively exchange of bombs, and rifle fire ensued, with the Battalion patrols inflicting a significant number of casualties on the enemy. The Battalion patrols took a few. The 16th to 19th, the Battalion continued to push patrols forward, and taking up positions closer to the enemy front line. Total Battalion casualties during this tour were 73 killed or wounded. The night of the 20th/21st, the Battalion was relieved by the 78th, and 85th Cdn. Inf. Bn. Upon relief, it moved by to Niagara Camp, at Chateau-de-la-Haie, where it remained until the 28th, when it marched to Berthonval Wood. The weather was described as wet. The men spent the time training.
June 1917 – Battalion strength is shown as 65 officers, and 1589 other ranks, with 29 officers, and 878 other ranks available for the trenches. From the 1st to the 5th, the men were engaged in training. The night of the 5th/6th, the Battalion moved to the front line.
The morning of the 6th, Battalion snipers were fairly active, seeking out targets of opportunity. Artillery was active, with Battalion heavies firing on enemy positions around La Coulette. The enemy retaliated with scattered shelling along the Lens-Arras road, and in the vicinity of the Battalion front line and support trenches. No casualties were reported.
On the 7th, Battalion artillery was quite active, throughout the day. The 18 pounders fired on enemy front and support trenches; while the heavies on La Coulette, Eleu Dit Lauvette, Foose 7, and points in enemy line; 6” howitzers were engaged in wire cutting, in front of enemy lines. 5 Patrols were sent out, at night, to check out the effectiveness of the wire cutting shelling, in preparation for a Brigade attack, on the 8th. It was reported that the shelling had been quite effective in cutting enemy wire, and as such the wire would present no serious obstacle, during the attack. In preparation for the attack, Battalion artillery was very active throughout the day continuing to focus on cutting enemy wire, destroying trenches, and firing on front and support trenches.
At 8:30 pm, the enemy fired retaliation shots. At 11:45 pm, the Brigade attack began. The Battalion objectives were: the capture of La Coulette, Foose 7, and trenches in front and rear of these points. It is reported, the men got away in fine style, and the supporting artillery barrage was accurately placed, and maintained throughout the operation. The first objective La Coulotte was reached by 12:01 am, and the second objective by approximately 12:30 am, on the 9th. This objective was held, until the withdrawal signal was given.
It was reported that the attack had resulted in very considerable damage to enemy defences, and a large number of casualties inflicted. The Battalion ”moper-uppers” did a good job destroying enemy dugouts, killing and capturing enemy. It was estimated that the enemy suffered 300 casualties, and 55 prisoners were taken. Battalion casualties were 3 officers wounded, with 136 other ranks killed, missing, or wounded. The operation was considered a success. The rest of the 9th was reported as relatively quiet, with stretcher parties, from both sides, busy recovering casualties. Battalion and enemy artillery were fairly active during the day. Battalion Patrols were sent out at night, and found that the enemy had re-occupied their lines.
June 10th, 1917 Pte. Watley was reported as suffering a gunshot wound to his right hand, fracturing two fingers. On the same day, he was admitted to the No. 1 Canadian General Military Hospital, at Etaples. June 12th, he is shown as being posted to 2nd Q.R.D (Quebec Regimental Depot). June 14th, he is shown as having been admitted to Beaucroft Hospital, at Wimborne, in England. A further entry indicates ”on admission to Hospital TOS (taken-on-strength) on posting from the 87th Cdn. Inf. Bn”.
August 1st, Pte. Watley is shown at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berkshire. August 14th, he was transferred, and admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, at Epsom.
September 21st, he was discharged from the Hospital and was shown ”on command” with the 3rd Casualty Convalescent Depot.
October 16th, 1917 he ceased to be attached to the 3rd CCD, on proceeding to the 2nd Casualty Convalescent Depot at Seaford, where his rehabilitation continued. It was also on this day, that he was granted permission to marry. His next-of-kin is now shown as ”Mrs. A.H. Watley of 17 Furzefield Road, Blackheath, Kent, England.
September 14th, 1918 he ceased to be on command to 2nd CCD, and on September 17th, he was placed on command to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot), at Buxton, pending embarkation to Canada. Pte. Watley sailed from England on September 22nd, 1918.
October 8th, 1918 he was taken-on-strength with the Casualty Company, No. 3 District Depot, at Kingston, Ontario.
November 29th, 1918 Private Bertie Theodore Watley was discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force, as being ”medically unfit for further War Service”.
The Military File indicates that Private Watley was not eligible to receive the 1914-15 Star, but that he was eligible to receive the: British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
According to the Military File, Private Bertie Theodore Watley served a total of 2 years, and 9 months, and 27 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: approximately 7 months and 13 days in Canada; 1 year, 3 months, and 8 days in the U.K., and 5 months, and 8 days in France.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
‘The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honourable”.
PERSONAL HISTORY BERTIN ‘BERTIE’ THEODORE WATLEY
BERTIN “BERTIE” THEODORE WATLEY
Bertin “Bertie” Theodore Watley was born in Dummer Township, Peterborough County on May 4, 1897, the son of Thomas ‘Edward’ Watley and Mina Adeline Wall. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in the local school. By 1911 the family had left the farm and moved in to Lakefield. Bertie was a farm labourer when he went to Peterborough to enlist to serve his King and Country on February 4, 1916.
While in England, Bertie was given permission to marry and on October 16, 1917, Bertie married an English lassie in Kent, England. Her name is unknown but she became Mrs. A. H. Watley and resided on Furzefield Road, Blackheath, Kent, England. According to the write-up of the death notice of his mother Mina in 1943, it lists “son Q.M. Sgt. Bert T. Watley at Debert, Nova Scotia.” This would indicate that Bert was involved with the Canadian Forces Station Debert during WWII. After much searching we found Lieutenant Bert T. Watley. He died August 9, 1954 and is buried in the Beechwood National Military Cemetery in Ottawa, ON.
Bertin “Bertie” Thomas Watley was a member of the Lakefield Methodist Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque hangs in the Sanctuary of the Lakefield United Church on Regent Street.
FAMILY HISTORY OF BERTIN ‘BERTIE’ THEODORE WATLEY
Bertin ‘Bertie’s paternal great grandparents were Elizabeth Flowers (1798 – 1871) and Edward Watley (1789 – 1864). They made their home in Dummer Township and had at least three children. They are buried in the Batten Cemetery in Dummer Township.
Bertin ‘Bertie’s paternal grandparents were George Watley born on December 5, 1841 and Mary A. Freeburn born on May 4, 1842. They married in Smith Township on October 6, 1858 and had a family of nine children. By 1901 the family was residing in Douro Township. George passed away on November 27, 1911 and Mary died on December 19, 1921; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
Bertin ‘Bertie’s maternal grandparents were Samuel Wall, son of Thomas and Maria Wall and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Crowe, daughter of James & Elizabeth Crowe. They were married in Lakefield on December 25, 1871 and made their home in Dummer Township. They had at least four children – Emma, Walter, Mina & George Wall. Samuel passed away on January 29, 1924 and Maggie died on December 28, 1932; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough.
Bertin ‘Bertie’ Theodore was the son of Thomas ‘Edward’ Watley born on October 21, 1868 and Mina Adeline Wall born on December 27, 1879. Mina was the daughter of Samuel Wall and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Crowe. Edward and Mina married in Smith Township on June 29, 1896 and settled on a farm in Dummer Township. They had a family of three children – Bertin ‘Bertie’ Theodore born May 4, 1897, Lauretta May born September 25, 1900 and Mildred Watley born in March 1902. By 1911, Edward and Mina were living at 18 Queen Street in Lakefield. Mina Adeline passed away on March 11, 1943 and Thomas ‘Edward’ died on October 2, 1949; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, ON.
Thomas ‘Edward’ Whatley was previously married to Emma J. Wall born on April 21, 1876 in Dummer Township and the sister of Mina Adeline Wall. Sadly Emma died on September 23, 1895 at the age of 19 years and is buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw, ON.
