HARTELLS Hubert

This casualty does not actually appear on Alvechurch St Laurence War Memorial. His name is listed on a separate piece of paper contained in a box in a small alcove above the memorial. Recorded as Private Bert Hartells on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.

The birth of Hubert Hartell is registered in the June Quarter 1882 under the Bromsgrove Registration District.

Bert Hartells enlisted at Redditch for 3 years service with the Worcestershire Regiment as Private, 8164, on 27th January 1904. Born in Alvechurch, he gave his age as 20 years 8 months and his occupation as a Farm Labourer. Bert was 5 feet 7¼ inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His next of kin is shown as his mother and father, William and Elizabeth Hartells of Rowney Green, Alvechurch, Redditch, Worcestershire. His army records show that he was absent without leave for 20 days from 1st to 20th February 1904. At the end of his 3 years service in 1906, he extended his time in the army for a further 8 years. During his time in the regiment as well as serving at home he served in Ceylon, the East Indies and India. On 4th December he was awaiting trial for overstaying his furlough, on 3rd January 1910 he was given 21 days barrack detention as punishment. He received further detention in April 1911. Bert was transferred to the army reserve in November 1911 after 7 years and 10 months of army service.

After the outbreak of war in August 1914 Bert was mobilised immediately and posted overseas. On 25th November 1914 he went absent for 71 days. He was apprehended on 4th February 1915 and tried by Field General Court Martial on 24th February 1915 when he was sentenced to one years imprisonment for being absent without leave. This was commuted to three months on 7th March 1915. He deserted again on 15th June 1915.

Absent 15/6/15. Tried by Field General Court Martial on the charge of: When on active service deserting His Majesty’s Service. The sentence of the court was:- to suffer death by being shot. The sentence was duly carried out at 4am on 26th July 1915.

In November 1915 his family were sent his possessions – disc, knife, pipe, 2 photos, 1 letter and 1 vocabulary.

The following information is an extract from the Shot at Dawn pages of  http://www.worcestershireregiment.com:
Bert Hartells was a regular soldier who landed in France on the 12th August 1914. He was shot by firing squad with 4 other deserters from the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on the ramparts of Ypres. This was the largest single execution by the British during the war. Bert was originally buried in the Ramparts Cemetery but was later transferred to the Aeroplane Cemetery.