Bertram James Pike

Story:
Bertram James Pike was born at Stour Provost, Dorset, on 18th January 1883 and baptised at Stour Row Church, Dorset, on 29th January 1883, the son of James Pike and Julia Agnes Christina Pike (née Bastable).   He lived his early life in and around the Stour Row, Shaftesbury, area.  He became a wheelwright like his father and married Lucy Maria White at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 17th February 1908.  They went on to have one child.  

Bertram enlisted on 10th December 1915 and was placed on reserve until mobilized on 30th April 1917 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner Wheelwright (Service No. 158683).  He served in Italy from 29 Sep 1918, the latter period with the 438th Siege Battery, and was discharged on 28th March 1919 having been awarded the Victory and British War medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents-in-law at 8 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Wheelwright on his own account. He then went on to live at Higher Duncliffe, Stour Provost, until, by the 1939 Register, he had moved back to 8 St James Street, Shaftesbury, now described as a Builder.  His wife died in 1943 and he subsequently re-married Violet Coombs in 1951 in Shaftesbury.   He died on 4th January 1954 whilst living at 25 Bimport, Shaftesbury, and was buried in the Town Cemetery, Shaftesbury, on 9 Jan 1954.