Bertie Maurice Stainer

Story:
Bertie Maurice Stainer was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29 June 1883 and baptised there on 29 July 1883 the son of Gideon Stainer and Emily Stainer (nee Sims). He lived his early life with the family in Bozley Hill, Cann, until by 1909 he had moved to Portsmouth, Hampshire, in which year he married Jesse Rose Stonebridge. By the time of the 1911 Census Bertie was living at 43 Lynn Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire, working as a Journeyman Baker. He had enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service No. 47795). He served in France and Flanders from 23 August 1915 with the 131st Brigade. He was later transferred to the Labour Corps with new Service No. 518782. On his discharge on 2 March 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. Both the 1921 Census and the 1939 Register show he was living at 102 Station Road, Buckland, Portsmouth, described as a Pastrycook and Cake Maker. His death was recorded at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, Oxfordshire, on 23 May 1953 with his home address being noted as The Square, Mere, Wiltshire. Bertie was one of seven sons in the family and all served in the conflict and survived. These were Ernest, Harry Gilbert, Austin Frederick, William Edgar, Francis Hubert and Arthur George.