Harold Brocklesby Bartram

He was a regular soldier who served in India and Ireland, before going to France on 17 August 1914. According to the inscription on the memorial in St Michael and All Angels church, Bramcote, the guns of 'E' Battery were the first British guns to be fired in the campaign at 11.10am on Saturday 22 August near Bray, Belgium.At the end of August he suffered from gastritis and was invalided home but died in Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. He was buried in St Mary's Cemetery, Dover, Kent, on 16 September; his father had been vicar of St Mary, Dover.

Inscription on private memorial in St Michael and All Angels Church, Bramcote: 'To the Glory of God and in memory of my husband and best friend, Harry Brocklesby Bartram, Captain Royal Horse Artillery. As Captain of 'E' Battery RHA, 3rd Cavalry Brigade. He landed in France with the Expeditionary Force on August 17th 1914. The guns of 'E' Battery were the first British guns to be fired in the campaign at 11.10am on Saturday August 22nd near Bray, Belgium. Died 16th September 1914. And to the memory of his widow for 48 years, Alice Eugenia, daughter of this parish, December 11th 1877 to May 6th 1962. Also to their only son Harry Bob Brocklesby, Captain Royal Artillery, born in this parish September 25th 1914, killed in the defence of Hong Kong, Christmas Day 1941.'There is an inscription on a family headstone in St Michael's churchyard which includes, 'He was one of six soldier sons that answered their country's call', and has the dedication, 'When freedom bells for victory ring and peace is ours again, we'll say within our hearts that day he did not die in vain.'Additional information from Bramcote History Group's publication: 'Remembering the people of Bramcote: how one village was affected by World War One'.Article published 25th September 1914 in the Dover Express :- “DEATH OF CANON BARTRAM'S SON.“It was with the deepest regret and sympathy for Canon Bertram and the family, that news was received in Dover last week of the death in a Military Hospital, of Captain Harry Brocklesby Bertram, only son of Canon Bartram and the late Mrs. Bartram, who died in 1909. Captain Bartram, who left a widow and several young children, was not very well known by the Dover public at large, as he was serving with his corps, the Royal Horse Artillery at distant stations during the majority of the time that Canon Bartram was Vicar of St. Mary's. After the death of Mrs. Bartram, Canon Bartram paid a long visit, for his health's sake, to South Africa with Captain Bartram, who was serving there, and he visited with him a number of the battle fields of the South African War, in which Captain Bartram had not, however, served. He joined the Royal Horse Artillery in March, 1900 and was appointed a lieutenant in April, 1901, and captain in February, 1909. In the present European War he fought in the battles of Mons and Cambrai, and subsequently, owing to privations sustained in the campaign, he had to go into hospital suffering from gastritis. He was brought home to the Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, and there died on Wednesday, September 16th. Three days later would have been his 37th birthday, and that day it was decided that the funeral should take place at Dover, in the same burying place as his mother. The body was brought to Dover on Friday, being met at the station and taken to St. Mary's Church by the Dover Royal Field Artillery. “THE FUNERAL. “Solemn and impressive scenes were witnessed at the funeral, which took place with military honours according to the deceased's' rank, at St. Mary's Cemetery on Saturday, following a service at noon at St. Mary's Church, wherein the body had remained throughout the previous night, being placed at the foot of the chancel, the coffin, covered by the Union Jack, having a beautiful cross of red roses placed upon it. A large crowd gathered outside the church long before the time for the commencement of the service, the road being kept clear by a large firing party of the Royal Field Artillery (T), while a guard of the Royal Sussex Regiment (T) lined along the pavement directly outside the church. “At noon a muffled peal was rung for the commencement of the service, and Chopin's Funeral March was played on the organ by Mr. H. J. Taylor. Prior to the commencement of the service, Mr. Taylor played the Adagio from Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique and “I know that Redeemer liveth.” A large portion of the congregation was formed of officers of various units, wearing crepe bands upon their arms. Included amongst these were the Fortress Commander, Brigadier General Crampton, Col. Roberts, Col. Fendall. Amongst others present were the Rev. T. B. Watkins, the Rev. E. R. Orger, the Rev. A. R. Jackman, the Rev. B. Burrows, Mr. G. Munns, Mr. W. Baker, Capt. Palliser, Mr. W. J. Barnes, etc. The service was conducted the Rev. W. Haines, C.F., the Rev. C. P. Dale, and the Rev. E. H. Hardcastle (Vicar of Maidstone), who was a godfather of the deceased, the Rev. S. Richards being also present. In the course of the service the hymns “Light's abode, celestial Salem,” and “Alleluia! The strife is o'er, the battle done” were sung. “At the conclusion of the service, muffled peals, were again rung, and Mr. Taylor played an arrangement of Stamford's “Last Post” and “O! Rest the Lord,” as the coffin, draped with the Union Jack, and surmounted by a large floral cross of roses, was borne from the church and placed upon gun carriage, drawn by three pairs of horses, driven by Sergeant- Majors of the Royal Field Artillery (T). The cortege slowly moved away from the church preceded by the band of the East Surrey Regiment playing the Dead March in “Saul.” Immediately preceding the coffin marched the firing party, and behind the coffin was led a horse with the deceased boots reversed in the stirrups. Following the mourners came the officers, numbering over sixty, marching four abreast, with swords reversed. Last came detachments of the Royal Field Artillery (T.) and Royal Sussex Regiment (T.). When nearing the Cemetery, Chopin's Funeral March was played by the band. “The principal mourners were Canon Bartram, M.A. (father), Rev. and Mrs. Wordsworth (sister and brother-in-law), Mr. Smith (representing the widow), Mr. R. Smith, Mr. Smith, Lady Rose Weigall, Mr. Arthur Campbell and others. Khaki bands were worn upon their arms. “This second bereavement, following upon the death of his wife, has been a great blow to Canon Bartram, and the heavy hand of sorrow had set its mark upon his face which was lined with grief. Yet in the face of his affliction he still retained his soldierly bearing and walked to the graveside with firm steps. “Six Captains acted as pall bearers, and six Sergeants of the Royal Field Artillery (T) bore the coffin to the graveside. The service was conducted by the Rev. E. H. Hardcastle. At the words “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes,” earth was dropped upon the coffin by Canon Bartram himself. The coffin, which was of unpolished oak, bore a large brass cross and was inscribed as follows:— “Captain H. B. Bartram, R.H.A., died 16th September, 1914, aged 37 years.” The large cross of crimson roses was buried with it. At the conclusion of the service three volleys were fired, and the “Last Post” sounded by the Artillery trumpeters. “A number of beautiful wreaths were sent as follows:— From his sorrowing Wife; from his Father in love, pride and sorrow; in loving and grateful memory of my darling Brother; with deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. E. Kyrle Smith, Oxton; from C. Smith, M. Smith, and E. M. Smith; with Laura and Ruthven's love; from Mrs. Ruthven Smith; from Miss Ruthven Smith, 81, Cadogan Gardens, Littlecourt, S.W.; from Canon and Mrs. Wordsworth; from Mrs. and Miss Leach and Mrs. Percival, with deepest regret and sympathy; in deepest sympathy, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hayward and family, 7, Camden Crescent; with deepest sympathy, from Mrs. Standen; with deepest sympathy, from Eliza Sims; with deepest sympathy, from H. and F. Church and M. Mansfield; with deepest sympathy, from the Churchwardens and Sidesmen at St. Mary the Virgin; with Billy's love; with deep heartfelt sympathy, from Colonel and Mrs. Moors, 2, Victoria Park; with deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. George Munns, 3, Effingham Crescent; with deepest sympathty, [sic] from the Sunday School Teachers, St. Mary's, Dover; with the St. Quentin family's love and admiration; with deep sympathy, from Lieutenant-Colonel M. B. Roberts and Officers, R.A., Dover; in remembrance, from Major and Mrs. Fife; with sincere and deep regret, from the Officers, N.C.O's., and men of the No. 3 Company, Kent Royal Garrison Artillery, Dover; with sincere sympathy, from the Choir St. Mary's, Dover; with affectionate sympathy, from the Rev. Basil and Mrs. Burrows and family; from Arthur and Majorie Campbell; with the Rev. Clement P. Dale's sincere sympathy from Mrs. Breeks. The funeral arrangements at Dover were entrusted to Messrs. Flashman and Co., Market Square. “At St. Mary's Church on Sunday evening, the Curate-in-charge of St. Mary's, the Rev. C. P. Dale, alluding in his sermon to the late Vicar's loss, said: — “During the last week the reality of this war has been brought home to us in a special way. Some whom we know connected with this town and this parish have been called upon to lay down their lives for their country. It is just five years ago that a great sorrow fell upon our then Vicar of this parish in the death of his wife; now he has been called to bear a fresh sorrow in the death of his son, Captain Bartram. Many of those present had, doubtless, been present at the last rites, carried out with all the solemnity of a military funeral. Our hearts go out with sympathy to our late Vicar and family in their loss of an only son and brother. May God comfort the bereaved widow and fatherless children. Surely we may say their cup of sorrow has been drained to the utmost, but 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori' — 'It is a sweet and blessed thing to die for one's country.” Article published 26th September 1914 in the Whistable Times & Herne Bay Herald :- “The death occurred at the Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, on Wednesday in last week, of Captain Harry Brocklesby Bartram, R.H.A., son of Canon Bartram, formerly Vicar of Ramsgate and afterwards Vicar of St. Mary's, Dover. The deceased officer, who would have been 37 on Saturday last, was invalided home, suffering from gastritis, the result of privation in the battlefield. He was buried at Dover on Saturday with full military honours. The Royal Field Artillery Territorials supplied the firing party and gun-carriage. The band of the 5th Sussex were in attendance, and many officers were present.” Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.