Bertram was born on 24th October 1893, the eldest son of Walter and Amy Saunders and one of seven children. His siblings were Maud Saunders, Winnie Saunders Walter Augustus Saunders, George Edwin Saunders, Harold Saunders and, my grandfather, Victor Robert Saunders. The 1911 census records Bertram, age 17, at the family home at 6 New Road, Watford. His occupation at that time was Shop Assistant. He was still employed in this capacity when he enlisted with 1st Battalion, The Hertfordshire Regiment on 7th September 1914, age 20 years. The entry for Bertram on the National Roll of The Great War records that: "he proceeded to France in January of the following year. He took part in the engagements at Festubert, Loos, Ypres, Givenchy and the Somme. He was reported missing at St. Julien on July 31st, 1917, and was later presumed to have been killed in action on that date. He was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star, and the General Service and Victory medals." Bertram died age 23 with no known grave. He is commemorated on the "Menin Gate" Memorial to the Missing, at Ypres. His name also appears on the War Memorial at Watford Fields. His name appears on the "Borough of Watford Roll of Honour" at Watford Central Library.

Caroline Saunders