No.142494, Driver, Bertie POWSON
Aged 24
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Bertie Powson was born in Soham (Newmarket Q2-1892) son of John William and Beatrice POWSON (née FORDHAM).
1901 census...The family name is entered as POLSON. Bertie [9] was at Willow Cottages, The Penn, Soham with his father John W POLSON [34] carman for builder; his mother Beatrice [32] born London; sister Rose [14] and Florence M.[6]; brother John W [11] All the children were born in Soham. His grandmother Mary A POLSON [73] born Fordham was also there. 1911 census...The family name is still POLSON. Bert [19] a farm labourer was at The Penn, Soham with his parents (father now a builder's labourer); brother John William [21] a journeyman shoe maker, sister Florence May and uncle James FORDHAM [19] baker's labourer born Fordham. The name change is strange since when his parents married the name was POWSON.It is only in the 1901 and 1911 census that POLSON is used. The Army form completed on 28th July 1917 recorded his parents John William and Beatrice at Waterside, Soham with his brother John William [29], sisters Rose [32] and Florence May SMITH [24]. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket on 22nd November 1915 in Signals Coy, Royal Engineers, a horse keeper, giving his age as 23 years 240 days. He weighed 119 lbs (54 kg), was 5 feet 2.5 inches (158.8 cm) tall, chest 36.5" to 39" (92.7 to 99.1 cm), blue eyed with dark brown hair.
His next of kin was father John William Powson of The Pen, Waterside, Soham. He had references from J.G.Cowell, his employer for four years.
After initial training at Fenny Stratford he was posted to Haynes Park for embarkation to Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, arriving at Base Depot 13th March 1916. He was transferred on 7th April 1916 to Mesopotamia. On 21st June 1916 he was sick and in hospital. It is not clear if the same bout of illness continued, but in Basrah on 7th September 1916 he was recorded as dangerously ill with malaria in 3rd General Hospital, and died the following day. Local press report ....Driver Bertie Powson, R.E., youngest son of Mr.andMrs.John Powson of The Penn. According to official intimation from the War Office, Driver Powson died from an attack of malaria fever on Sept,8th, a malady he contracted in Mesopotamia. The late soldier, who was only 24 years of age, enlisted in November 1915, and after his training at Bedford and Hitchin was sent to Egypt, and subsequently to Mesopotamia.
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