Main CPGW Record
Surname: WALLBANK
Forename(s): Bertie
Place of Birth: Kelbrook, Yorkshire
Service No: 12/3857
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Auckland Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 1st Battalion
Division: New Zealand Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 1916-09-27
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: ---
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: CATERPILLAR VALLEY (NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Bertie Wallbank (born 19 December 1894 and baptized at St Mary's, Kelbrook, 26 May 1895) was the son of Arthur Bertie and Alice Wallbank, née Marsden. Arthur was born at Kelbrook and Alice at Salterforth, Yorkshire. Bertie was the nephew of Private Louis Carr Marsden (18615) (q.v.).
1901 Elland, Yorkshire Census: Dewsbury Road - Bertie Wallbank, aged 6 years, born Thornton [Thornton-in-Craven Parish], Yorkshire, son of Arthur B. and Alice Wallbank.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 38, Aspen Lane - Bertie Wallbank, aged 16 years, born Kelbrook, Yorkshire, son of Alice Wallbank (married). [Bertie’s father, a Sergeant in the West Riding Police Force, had resigned on the 6 January 1911 and may have emigrated to New Zealand in that year.]
Bertie was married to Beatrice Caithlene Moran, 17 February 1915, at Auckland, New Zealand.
Bertie enlisted in New Zealand as Arthur Herbert Wallbank.
New Zealand service records: https://www.govt.nz/browse/history-culture-and-heritage/nz-history/get-a-copy-of-a-ww1-service-record/ [In his record Bertie’s rank is given as a Private, no other rank is mentioned.]
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WALLBANK, Quartermaster Sergeant Bertie, aged 21, Auckland Regiment, son of Mrs. Wallbank, 19, John Street, [Earby], killed in action 1916.
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Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Bertie WALLBANK
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Auckland Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: New Zealand Division
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Salterforth Cemetery
Family gravestone
© Paul Clarke (WMR-71787)
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
03 November 1916
WALLBANK – Killed in action in France Q.M.S. Bertie Wallbank, Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Infantry Division, eldest son of Mrs. Wallbank, 19 John Street, Earby.
03 November 1916
EARBY NEW ZEALANDER KILLED
Mrs. Wallbank, 19, John Street, Earby, received the sad news on Friday last, by cable from New Zealand, of the death in France of her eldest son, Q.M.S. Bertie Wallbank, of the 3rd Auckland Infantry Division. Deceased, who was 21 years of age and married, went out to New Zealand about three years ago to join his father, Mr. Arthur B. Wallbank, in farming pursuits in the neighbourhood of Kingsland. He landed in Egypt last January, and after a stay there of about three months, during which he underwent a slight operation, was drafted to the western front where he has been about five months. We will give a picture of the deceased soldier next week.
10 November 1916
EARBY NEW ZEALANDER'S FATE – QUARTER-MASTER SERGEANT B. WALLBANK, EARBY
We reproduce a photograph of Q.M.S. Bertie Wallbank, eldest son of Mrs. Wallbank, 19, John Street, Earby, who, as reported in the Craven Herald last week, was killed in France while in action with his regiment in the Infantry Division. He was 21 years of age, and was with his father in New Zealand engaged in farming when he joined the Forces. He had served in Egypt and had been about five months on the Western Front.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
03 November 1916
WALLBANK – In France, Q.M. Sergt. Bertie Wallbank, of the 3rd Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Infantry Division, son of Mrs. Wallbank, of 19 John Street, Earby, aged 21.
03 November 1916
EARBY NEW ZEALANDER KILLED
Mrs. Wallbank, 19, John Street, Earby, received the sad news on Friday last, by cable from New Zealand, of the death in France of her eldest son, Q.M. Sergeant Bertie Wallbank, of the 3rd Auckland Infantry Division. Deceased, who was 21 years of age and married, went out to New Zealand about three years ago to join his father, Mr. Arthur B. Wallbank, in farming pursuits in the neighbourhood of Kingsland. He landed in Egypt last January, and after a stay there of about three months, during which he underwent a slight operation, he was drafted to the Western Front where he had been about five months.
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Bertie was my grandfathers son. I am interested to establish when he was promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant. As the records show in New Zealand that he was a Private at the time when he was killed at Caterpillar Valley with the Auckland Regiment.