No.42140, Private, Bertie DYER
Aged 18
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Bertie Edward Dyer was born in Brandon (Thetford Q1-1900 4B:375), son of John and Anna Maria DYER (née NEWELL ). 1901 census...Aged 1,he was at Bury Road, Brandon with his father John DYER [36] flint digger; his mother Annie [35]; brothers Frank [11], William [9] and Percy [4]; sister Alice [7]. All were born in Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 11, he was at No 2 Foster Cottages, Brandon with his parents (mother now recorded as born in Thetford); brothers William (coal labourer), Percy (errand boy) and Edgar [5] born Brandon; sister Alice. His mother had borne 9 children but 3 had died. |
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Enlisted in Norwich.
The 2nd Battalion war diary is vague but the report on the operation is comprehensive, but in summary :- Operations around Ronsoy 20th-22nd September 1918 - Attacking in a NE direction from Bellicourt Road at dawn, sever enemy barrage caused some confusion and the troops got mixed up. The quadrilateral Duncan Post, Mill Lane, Dog Trench, Pot lane and Duncan Avenue was strongly held by the Germans. Little progress was made and the troops were brought back to their starting line for a night attack. At midnight an attack was made on DUNCAN POST, but they lost direction and having taken a number of prisoners and a trench, incorrectly reported they had taken DUNCAN POST, they were in touch on the right but their left was exposed. Daylight revealed that the Fusiliers had passed through the 74th Division and captured CAT POST and part of DOG TRENCH and POT LANE, the rest being held by the Germans. Communications were difficult but arrangements were made for a 3 pm barrage on DUNCAN AVENUE, when DUNCAN POST was to be stormed. The Bedfords were in DOLEFUL TRENCH with the Northamptons, prolonging the right flank, which was unsupported. At 2.30 the Germans were seen to be assembling for a counter attack. The Divisional artillery barrage planned for 3 pm did not materialise but 110 Brigade artillery made a good job of shooting on DUNCAN AVENUE and the infantry then advanced, surrounded the enemy and cleared DOG TRENCH, MILL LANE, POT TRENCH, POT LANE, DUNCAN AVENUE and DUNCAN POST. About 400 prisoners were taken. At 3.45 the barrage promised at last came about, annihilating a German counter attack on DOLEFUL POST. On the right the barrage caught the retreating Germans and unfortunately some Fusiliers who were chasing them. 35 Bedfords and some Northampton surrounded 300 of the enemy and were garrisoning 800 yards of trench. About 80 German dead and 30 machine guns were found in DUNCAN POST alone. CWGC have 34 Bedfordshires killed on the 21st, 15 with no known grave. Initially Bert was buried just east of Ronsoy but exhumed and moved to Unicorn in 1919 click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
Bert was initially buried here. D58 is the Bellicourt road Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
