Private Bertie Briggs
92783 Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)
Bertie Briggs was born in Lenton, Nottingham in 1888, son of Charles Briggs, who originated from Kimberley, Notts. He had sisters Elizabeth, Alice Maud and Annie. In 1901 the Briggs family was living at Westwood but by the 1911 Census had moved to Main Road, Jacksdale. Bertie’s occupation is given as a labourer at the brickyard. In 1915, Charles is also listed on the electoral roll for Main Road, Jacksdale.
We know little of Bertie’s time in service during WW1 apart from knowing he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals
The family has told us that although Bertie married there were no children but we have found a possible marriage to Peggy Johnson in Chesterfield in 1924 and the birth of a son named Bertie in Mansfield in 1924.
Bertie’s younger sister, Alice Maud married James Henry Sparham who also served during the First World War and is also listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial. In later life, Bertie lived with Alice and James Sparham at their home in Brinsley, Notts.
Bertie died in 1957.
(Information provided by Tricia Williams, of Holmewood, Derby, great-niece of Bertie Briggs and grand-daughter of James and Alice Sparham.)