The 1911 census shows that Bertie, born 1893 in *****tone, was the oldest of six children of Joseph, a platelayer, and Edith Hoyland, living at 70 Sheffield Road, Spring Vale, *****tone. His military record, partly burnt, records his occupation as a blacksmith's striker, aged 22 years and 2 months. Bertie enlisted at Sheffield on 17th November 1914 and was enrolled in the Northumberland Fusiliers where his regimental number was 15480.

He served in France and Flanders, transferred to the Army Cyclist 21st Division, on 14th March 1915, and was killed in action at Hooge on the 25th January 1916

The *****tone Express report of his death gives his rank as Lance Corporal, but that promotion is not in his army record. The newspaper also mentions that he was a member of *****tone Parish Church football team.

Corps, 21st Division, on 14th March 1915, and was killed in action at Hooge on the 25th January 1916.  

Janet Dyson