Bert Gardner was born in Luton in 1884, 1 of 12 children born to Philip & Mary (aka Kate).

In 1911 Bert is 20 years old & working as an assistant for a straw hat manufacturer. He is living at No 25 Stockwood Crescent, a 6 roomed house with his father Philip, 64 a mercantile clerk, his 64 year old mother Mary & 2 of his siblings. His sister Maud is 32 & a straw hat finisher & his brother Frederick William is 30 & is also an assistant for a straw hat manufacturer. Florence Joy is living with them as their general domestic servant.

On 20th November 1915 Bert marries Ellen Batchelor at the parish church.

On 11th December 1915 Bert tried to enlist but a medical board rejected him due to arthritis in his toes on both feet, but he tried again & on 15th January 1917 he was accepted into the Royal Engineers. On 17th May 1917 he was transferred to the 5th Provisional Company, part of the home service defence. He did not serve overseas, he spent the duration of the war at the depot as a clerk proficient.

On 12 November 1918, the day after the armistice was signed, Bert was admitted to the Fort Pitt Hospital in Chatham. He had been suffering from a cold that had developed into influenza contracted whilst on military service. Sadly, 6 days later on 18th November at 2.40 am Bert died of pneumonia.

Bert is buried in the cemetery on Rothesay Road.