1916 - WWI - Original 87th Battalion (CGG) CEF postcard and handwritten note from 177559 Private Leonard William Bertram - KIA 9 April 1917

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Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

1916 - WWI - Original 87th Battalion (CGG) CEF postcard and handwritten note from 177559 Private Leonard William Bertram - KIA 9 April 1917

Scope and Content

Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection *** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION *** 1916 - WWI - Original 87th Battalion (CGG) CEF postcard and handwritten note from 177559 Private Leonard William Bertram - KIA 9 April 1917 ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER Private Leonard William Bertram 177559 was born in Grouville, Island of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, between England and France, on 19 March 1894. He was a clerk by trade for the Jersey Trading Company in Gaspé, known as the Robin, Jones and Whitman Company. He attested 23 November 1915, enlisting with the 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) and stood 5'7" tall, medium complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. In his Will, 27 July 1916, Leonard left everything to his mother, Mrs. John Bertram, La Rocque, Grouville, Jersey. Leonard embarked for France on 11 August 1916 - he had arrived in England on 4 May 1916. Leonard will be attached to the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade as a runner on three different occasions. He is employed in this capacity for a week during the Battle of Flers-Courcellete, starting his duty on 11 September 1916. Impressed with his performance, he survives another 45-day tenure as a runner after spending only three weeks with his unit, the 87th Battalion of the 11th Infantry Brigade. On 18 December 1916, following another three-week stay with his unit, he is given a final fateful posting. His third tenure is especially long for a runner, as during the Vimy Battle period, runners typically last no more than two weeks in the capacity, before being wounded or killed. As fate will have it, he survives until being sniped on the opening day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9 April 1917. He had a brother Private Ernest Touzel Bertram 889858 in the same unit. Ernest demobilized in Montreal on 16 January 1919. Another brother George Ernest Bertram also served.

Created By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Create Date

September 30, 2026

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

September 30, 2026