A/Sgt. Bertram Lechmere MM, M2/020775, M.T. Co., RASC, att. 77 Field Ambulance 1918

[Ivor Anderson]

A/Sgt. Bertram Lechmere, M2/020775, Motor Transport Co., RASC, att. 77 Field Ambulance RAMC

 

Born: 13th May 1886 in Aston, Warwickshire (now part of inner Birmingham). DOB from 1939 Census & place of birth from 1891 census.

1891: 9 Leonard Road, Aston Manor, aged 4, with father John (Coachman aged 35) and mother Charlotte (36). Siblings: Walter (11), Minnie (7), Albert (2).

1901: 13 Clarke St, Wolverhampton. Cycle agents Assistant aged 15. Albert (11). Father deceased?, Mother Charlotte (45), Walter (21, 'Civil Engineer's pupil'), Minnie (17), Albert (11).

1911: Boarding, 274 Orphanage Road, Erdington

Married 1912: (Q2) Frances D Clarke (b.19th February 1889).

1915 Street Directory: Living 122 Wheelwright Road, Erdington.

 

Entered France 25 September 1915 - Motor Transport, Army Service Corps, attached 77th Field Ambulance RAMC.

 

MM in London Gazette 30743, 12 June 1918 (schedule number 167990).

From War Diary of 77 Field Ambulance RAMC, 21 March 1918:

“11am, A message by motorcyclist was sent to ADS Lagnicourt instructing MO + 48 OR of this unit there to withdraw and to report to OC CWWOS (Corps Walking Wounded Dressing Station) BUGNY. This message was delivered about 12.30pm under considerable difficulties by A/Sgt B LECHMERE who had to pass through a zone of shell and machine gun fire. When he left the ADS, the enemy were in the valley on the left of the sunken road and were enfilading the roads with machine gun fire. A reply stated that as the bearers of the 6th Div (18 FAMG) had not been reinforced and that he had more wounded that he could deal with, he would carry out the order as soon as he considered circumstances justified him”.

 

Birmingham Mail - Thursday 20 June 1918 - MORE BIRMINGHAM SOLDIERS HONOURED.

“The Military Medal has been awarded to Sergeant B. Lechmere, of Wainwright Road, Gravelly Hill. Sergeant Lechmere, who joined up in 1914, is a partner in Messrs. Lechmere Bros., motor engineers, Birmingham. He was a keen motorist, having won many racing events and is well known in motoring circles. He gained his medal for despatch riding.”

His MM was also listed in Birmingham Post & Birmingham Daily Gazette of Friday 14 June 1918.

 

1918 - Absent voters list - 122 Wheelwright Road, Erdington. “M2/020775, Sgt., MT Co., ASC, Att 77 Field Ambulance”.

1919: Moved to Z reserves 17 April 1919

1920: Daughter Marguerite b. 6th October 1920

1939 Census:  Living 122 Wheelwright Road, Erdington, ‘motor Engineer’.

 

1950 Electoral Register: 72 Minstead Road, Erdington. Bertram Lechmere.

1961: Died: Q1, aged 74 in Birmingham district.

Edited 3 June , 2020 by Ivor Anderson
Additional information

[Ivor Anderson]

Bertram Lechmere's MM record card from the National Archives:

 

[Ivor Anderson]

[Waggoner]

Very nice! Great to have supporting documentation. Do you also have his trio?

 

All the best,

 

Gary

[Ivor Anderson]

Unfortunately not Gary. They are hopefully out there somewhere, being cared for!

MIC free off Ancestry:

Edited 27 October , 2020 by Ivor Anderson

[Ivor Anderson]

MM citation in the 77 Field Ambulance WD on 21-03-1918. Source: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353354