BERTIE GEORGE CANT
Name at birth: BERTIE GEORGE FULLER.
Born: 27th June 1882, Ipswich.
Baptised: of his own volition (as Bertie Cant) when a soldier on the 26th March 1901, at St. John’s Church, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk – resided at the barracks.
Died: 24th March 1918; age 35; KiA.
Residence: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 15th August 1914.
Rank: Lance Sergeant; Service Number: 242033
Regiment: King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 6th Battalion.
Formerly Private, 5821, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Military Medal.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 37.
Somme,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Arthur Jacob & Blanche Cant.
CENSUS
1891 Glenys Terrace, Spring Road, Ipswich.
Bertie was 7 years old, and he and his sister were living with their maternal grandparents, aunt & uncle.
George Fuller, 57, a Tanner, born Nacton, Suffolk.
Sarah Fuller, 53, born Nacton.
Elizabeth Fuller, 16, born Combs, Suffolk.
Joseph Fuller, 12, born Combs, Suffolk.
Alice Cant, 4, born Ipswich.
1901 Depot Suffolk Regiment, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
Bertie was 18 years old, a soldier ranked a Private – Infantry.
In 1901, Bertie’s parents recorded him living at their home, 3, Reeves Yard, Fore Street, Ipswich – aged 24, a Private in the Army.
1911 Longmoor Camp, East Liss, Greatham, Hampshire.
Bertie was 26 years old, a Soldier ranked a Private for the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment.
Bertie’s father was Arthur Jacob Cant, born 1863, St. Pancras, Middlesex – died 1930, Ipswich.
His mother was Emma Blanche Fuller, born 1861, Combs. They were married in 1891, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Blanche Cant – mother.
Evening Star – Thursday, 4th February 1915 – DREADED HIS FOOTSTEPS – On Thursday, 4th February, Arthur Jacob Cant, of Mount Pleasant, Back Hamlet, was before Mr. S. R. Anness (in the chair) and Mr. W. H. Calver, at the Ipswich Police Court, summoned by his wife, Blanche Cant, for desertion. Blanche Cant said she had been married for 23 years, and there was one child dependent. Her husband was addicted to drink, and this was the reason for the desertion, which took place last July. He had left her four times. She had taken him back, but could do so no more, as he had been so cruel to her. She dreaded to hear his footsteps. In reply to Arthur, Blanche said she did not shut the door in his face nor tell him not to darken her doors again. Ellen Brown said that when Arthur Cant left his wife, he used bad language and broke a window. He had told his wife, when full of beer, that he would serve her as the Germans served women.
Arthur Cany said he was willing to live with his wife. He earned sixpence an hour.
A separation order was granted, and Arthur was ordered to pay his wife 7s. a week.
Evening Star – Monday, 10th May 1915 – A WIFE’S MAINTENANCE – At the Ipswich Police Court, on Monday, 10th May, Arthur Jacob Cant was before the Deputy Mayor, Mr. William Pipe, Mr. Edward Packard, and Mr. W. H. Calver, charged with disobeying an order to pay maintenance to his wife. Blanche Cant said the order was made on the 4th February 1915 to pay 7s. a week, but he had kept up payments. He now owed £1. 9s. 6d.
Arthur Cant said that he had not been earning enough money lately to pay.
The Bench ordered Arthur Cant to pay half the amount down, and the balance in a fortnight, or in default a month’s imprisonment.
Evening Star – Thursday, 9th September 1915 – DRUNK – Arthur Jacob Cant, a labourer, of Back Hamlet, Ipswich, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Fore Street on Tuesday night. Police-constable Jennings said Athur Cany was drunk and was shouting and swearing. With the assistance of Corporal Hayland, of the Military Police, he was taken to the Police Station. Corporal Hayland corroborated. Arthur Cant said he had given up drink and joined the teetotallers that morning. Arthur Cant was fined 9s., and 2s. 6d. for the witness.
Evening Star – Thursday, 28th October 1915 – ARREARS OF MAINTENANCE – At the Ipswich Police Court, on Thursday, 28th October, Arthur Jacob Cant, of Back Hamlet, a labourer, was before Mr. Alexander Gibb (in the chair) and Mr. W. H. Calver, summoned by his wife for arrears of maintenance amounting to £8. 10s. Blanche Cant said that she obtained a separation order in February last, her husband being ordered to pay 7s. a week. He had paid something, but always in arrears. When he was not at work, she let him off, but she had seen him the worse for drink. He had been to her house and told her that he would not pay anything. Arthur Cant, in reply to the Magistrates, said that there was not much work about. He sometimes earned 18s. a week, and could not pay the arrears. He was sent to prison for one month, the commitment to be suspended if he paid £2 to his wife that day.
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