BERTIE CHITTOCK
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Evening Star – 15th April 1942.
BERT
Born: 16th February 1910, Ipswich.
Died: 11th August 1945; age: 35; died of Pneumonia and Malaria whilst a Japanese POW – Thailand/Burma Railway.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 4, Frobisher Road, Ipswich.
Employed: as a General Labourer – Ipswich Corporation.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 5827502.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion – Infantry.
Grave Reference:
4.G.66.
Thailand.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Alice Reeve, of Ipswich.
CENSUS
1911 12, Lower Orwell Street, Ipswich.
Bert was a year old and living with his mother at the home of his widowed, maternal grandmother, aunts & uncles + cousin.
Emma Chittock (nee Pegg), 51, born Stowupland, Suffolk.
George Chittock, 26, a General Labourer – Iron Works, born Stowmarket, Suffolk.
Ethel Mary Chittock, 22, a Rug Sorter – Marine Stores Dealer, born Stowmarket.
Charles William Chittock, 16, a Labourer Porter – Provision Merchant, born Ipswich.
Pansy Chittock, 14, born Ipswich.
Maude Matilda Chittock, 12, born Ipswich.
Percy Albert Chittock, 9, born Ipswich.
Ethel May Chittock, 2, born Ipswich (Ethel Mary Chittock’s daughter).
Alice Chittock, 18, a Rug Sorter – Marine Stores Dealer, born Ipswich.
In 1915, Bert’s mother, Alice Chittock married widower, Samuel Reeve, born 1867, Ipswich – died 1935, Ipswich. A Shoe Finisher.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.
Bert was a General Labourer, he lived with his widowed mother, and widowed maternal grandmother at the home of his uncle 4, Frobisher Road, Ipswich.
Percy Chittock, a Warehouseman – Wine & Spirits Merchant.
Emma Chittock, unpaid Household Duties – died 1941, Ipswich.
Alice Reeve, unpaid Household Duties.
1 other.
Probate to Alice Reeve – mother.
The Battalion was attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.( including 4/5th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment)
15 February 1942: After the fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
Bertie’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition “Be Ye Men of Valour” from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT. All welcome.
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