Bernard Tootell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Bernard was born on 14th June 1896 in Netherfield and was the son of Frederick and Gertrude Tootell née Smith of 22 Oxford Villas, Colwick Vale, Nottingham. His father Frederick James Tootell was born in 1872 in Newark and his mother Gertrude Elizabeth Ann Smith was born in 1873 in Nottingham. They were married in 1894; their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration area. They had 3 children, Bernard b1897, Frances b1899 and Florence b1906 who were all were born in Netherfield.In 1908 his father Frederick died; his death is recorded in the Basford Registration area. He was 35 yrs of age. His mother remarried in 1909 to John William Hibbitt. He brought to their marriage two children, Margaret Hibbitt and John William Hibbitt.In the 1911 census the family are living at 33 Hodgkinson Street, Netherfield and are shown as John William Hibbitt head of the family 42 yrs, a railway engine driver. He is living with his wife Gertrude Elizabeth Hibbitt 38 yrs and their children, Margaret Hibbitt 13 yrs an upholsterer, John William Hibbitt a scholar, Bernard Tootell 14 yrs a shop assistant, Frances 12 yrs a scholar and Florence Tottell 5 yrs a scholar.
Bernard enlisted in September 1914 and was promoted to Sgt 1405 in 3/1st South Notts. Hussars. He was commissioned into the Sherwood Foresters on, 8th October 1915 and originally served in the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, served with the British Expeditionart Force from October 1915. He had been wounded twice previously, the first time on 1st July 1916 during the attack upon Gommecourt.In April 1917 having obtained his wings in June 1917, Bernard transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and served with the 4th Squadron. He was killed during aerial action at Poperinghe on 23rd June 1917. He was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave reference XIII A 17). Taking off at 10.55 a.m. to undertake a photo-reconnaissance operation in RE8 A3473 with his observer, Second Lieutenant Lawrence Alan Davis they crashed attempting a forced landing, possibly after experiencing engine trouble. The bombs they carried exploded, burning out the aircraft and killing both men.
An extract from the Notts Local News dated 30th June 1917 :- “LIEUT. TOOTELL KILLED.“News has been received by Mrs. Hibbitt of 22, Oxford Villas, Colwick Vale, that her son, Lieut. B. Tootell, of the Royal Flying Corps, was killed in action in France on Sunday last. He joined the South Notts Hussars in September 1914, and by his smartness gained a commission. He was gazetted as a Second-Lieut. in the Sherwood Foresters on October 8, 1915. “Lieut. Tootell was twice wounded, the first time being on July 1, 1916, and again in April of this year. He was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps three months ago, and only arrived back in France on Monday, June 18, being killed in action six days later on Sunday last, June 24. “Tootell as a boy worked at Hunt’s Cash Chemists, Netherfield, and later at Hilton’s boot shop being about 23 years of age, and well-known in the district. He was at home during several weeks of the winter owing to an injury to his hand.” Above extract curtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War 1914-1918
