GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY x30
A fine Great War 1917 ‘Passchendaele’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel L. H. Bertram, 20th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was wounded whilst serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry, 25 April 1915, and went on to distinguish himself as a Company Commander at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, and at Passchendaele in November of the same year. Bertam commanded the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Lorne Scots Regiment throughout the Second World War
MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R.; 1914-15 STAR (7017 Pte. L. H. Bertram. 1/Can: Inf:); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (A. Major L. H. Bertram.); CANADIAN VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL; WAR MEDAL 1939-45; EFFICIENCY DECORATION,
G.VI.R., 1st issue, with integral Canada top suspension bar, reverse engraved ‘Lt.-Col. L. H. Bertram.’, mounted for display, lacquered, generally very fine (7)
£1600-2000 M.C. London Gazette 5 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of four companies in the line for four days, 2,700 yards in advance of battalion headquarters. The success of the operation was entirely due to him. By sending part of his command to assist a neighbouring unit to advance he assisted in the capture of two enemy strong points and a number of prisoners.’
Leonard Halliday Bertam was born in Dundas, Ontario, in February 1893. He joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force as a Private in September 1914, and embarked for the UK in October of the same year. Bertram was posted to the 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry, and served with them in the French theatre of war from February 1915. He was wounded, 25 April 1915, when he received a bullet wound to the right hand which continued through into his nose and fractured his upper jaw.
Having recovered, Bertram was commissioned Lieutenant in the 23rd Reserve Battalion in June 1915, and served with the 5th Brigade Machine Gun Corps, February - May 1916. He advanced to Captain, and served with the 20th Battalion from June 1916. Bertram served with the Battalion on the Somme in 1916, and commanded ‘D’ Company at Vimy Ridge in April 1917:
‘The barrage began at 2am [9 April], and shortly afterwards Major L. H. Bertam, commanding ‘D’ Company, received a copy of the message ordering the attack. As the barrage had already commenced, he had no time to communicate with Colonel Rorke and at once moved his company forward. Passing the flank of the 19th Battalion, he attacked the German trenches, penetrating as far as their support line and reaching a point about half-way between Frsnoy and Achevile. Here Major Bertram discovered that he was making a solitary operation and was in danger of being surrounded; he therefore withdrew his Company to its starting point.... During the early hours of May 10... on relief, ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies, 20th, relieved the 19th Battalion in the Winnipeg Road, the former occupying the part south of, and the latter the part north of, Arleux Loop.
Nothing unusual occurred during the day, but at 7.30pm the enemy shelled our area for forty-five minutes, particularly Winnipeg Road, ‘D’ Company’s position. Their casualties were very heavy, three officers killed, Lieuts. Ardagh, Walters, and Hannaford, one wounded, Lieut. Torrance, nine other ranks killed and thirty-two wounded. The casualties in the other companies were slight. During the night ‘D’ Company, under Major L. H. Bertram, moved up to attack from Alberta Road. We were then ordered to consolidate these positions and spent the nights of May 11 and 12 digging and wiring. Burial parties were also detailed and the area east of Manitoba Road was cleared by the morning of the 13th. Our casualties since the 8th had been one hundred and thirty-two.’ (Regimental History refers)
Bertram also developed Bronchitis as a consequence of ‘while in France at Vimy, in Spring of 1917, was subjected to a good deal of exposure, during the cold wet weather. No dry place to sleep’ (Invalid Medical History refers). This did not stop him from serving as Acting Major, May 1917 - March 1918. Bertram’s gallant conduct at Passchendaelle, when he commanded four companies during operations in the forward area in November 1917, was recognised with the award of the Military Cross.
Bertram was discharged 30 November 1918, before re-engaging as Lieutenant-Colonel and Officer Commanding of The Peel and Dufferin Regiment in April 1925. He commanded the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Lorne Scots Regiment throughout the Second World War. Bertram died in Brampton, Ontario, in June 1964.
Sold with extensive copied research and service papers.
www.dnw.co.uk
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