2nd Lieut Joseph Bertie Friend

• Age: 29
• From: Margate, Kent
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 21st August 1918
• Commemorated at: Vis-en-artois Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Joseph Bertie was born at Margate, Kent on 24th May 1889, the first son of Joseph Bertie Friend and his wife Mary Isabel (nee Burkett). He was baptised on 30th June 1889 at St John the Baptist Church, Thanet.   

The 1891 Census shows him as a 1 year old living with his parents and sibling at Market Street, Margate, Kent. His father, also Joseph Bertie was born at Dover in 1865, his occupation is shown as a Master Butcher, whilst his mother was born in 1863 at Dover. He has a younger brother George Burkett b.1891. Also present in the household are Susann Collard described as Cousin and who is a Butcher's book-keeper. There are also twp servants recorded.

By 1901 the family are livng at 8 Park Place, Dover, Kent. Joseph Bertie is now 11 years of age. Both parents are present in the houshold as are his siblings George B., Mary E. b.1893, Catherine A. b.1895, Nora I. b.1898, and Harry b.1901. THere is one servant also recorded. 

The 1911 Census finds the family are still living at 8 Park Place. Both parents are still present and Joseph Bertie is now 21 years of age and is shown as a Butchers son working in the business. Three younger siblings are listed; Catherine Amy, Norah Isabel, and Harry. There is also one servant present. 

Joseph was educated at St Dunstan’s College and joined the East Kent Yeomanry in May 1907. After leaving school he became a Butcher's Manager, Dover (1913) and was employed by his father.

He was called up and mobilised for service on 5th August 1914, and quickly promoted through the ranks and served in the Dardenelles. It is quoted that he was invalided back home with 'enteric fever'. On his recovery, he signed on for a further four years service and following Officer training at Prior Park, Bath, he was commissioned and Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the 17th Battalion The King’s Liverpool Regiment in September 1917. He embarked for the Continent on 30th October 1917 and on 3rd November reported for duty with ‘B’ Company of the Battalion, which was then stationed in the Hollebeke area of Belgium. For some time after that he acted as Transport Officer. 

He Served throughout the heavy fighting following the German breakthrough of March 1918 and then contracted Trench Fever, whereupon he was evacuated to England for treatment. After three weeks, he returned to France and was then attached to 13th Battalion of the Regiment.

The Battalion was formed up at Hannescamps on the Somme, on the night of the 20th August, 1918 for an attack the following day, west of the railway at Aichet-Le-Grand, on a six hundred yard frontage, which was supported by tanks, and the first wave of troops was very quickly hit by severe machine gun fire.

Because of the mist and smoke, the advance had to made on a compass bearing and quite a few tanks did not make it to the start line. This further impeded the advance and heavy casualties were sustained on the right flank which was exposed to the enemy. During the course of the action on this day, Second Lieutenant Friend was hit by Machine Gun fire and killed.

His body was never found and identified after the war and he is Commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial to the Missing of the battles of August 1918, close to Arras, France. He was 29 years of age.

The Vis en Artois Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.

The memorial was designed by J.R. Truelove, with sculpture by Ernest Gillick. It was unveiled by the Rt. Hon. Thomas Shaw on 4 August 1930.

His commanding Officer, Major Howard wrote:

“Dear Sir, I regret to be the bearer of bad news of your Son’s death in action on the 21st inst., while leading his men forward I a most gallant manner. He was hit by a machine gun bullet and died at once. He was much esteemed by both officers and men, and his death leaves a sad gap. Offering you our very deepest sympathy, Yours very sincerely, WJW Howard Major. “

Lieutenant J. Robson Whittle writes,

"I have been told by his men how splendid he was at the time he was killed. He was one of the finest types of officer and gentleman, and by his courage, good comradeship and uprightness, made himself beloved by all who knew him."

Probate records show:

Freind Joseph Bertie of 152 Folkestone Road, Dover, 2nd Lieutenant 13th Battalion Liverpool Regiment died 21 August 1918 at Achiet le Grand, France. Killed in action. Administration London28th March to Joseph Bertie Friend, butcher. Effects £203. 16s 4d.    

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge: 

He joined Corinthian Lodge No. 1208, the second lodge (mother Union Lodge) of his father (Senior) in 1913. His record shows that he was "Killed in Action Aug /16". He joined Castle Lodge No. 1436 at Sandgate on the 12th January 1914. This latter Lodge also shows a KIA annotation in the records, but with a date of death as 23rd August 1918.

We currently have no further information on Joseph Bertie Friend. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.