Bert was born in 1898 in Leicester to Frank Cayless, a shoe machinist, and Clara Porter Richards. He was one of six children –
Eveline Maud 1896
Bert 1898
Horace Frank 1901
Gladys 1904
Hilda May 1909
Edith L 1912
In the 1901 census the family lived at 14 Mount Rd., Leicester and in the 1911 census they were at 63 Vulcan Rd. and Bert was a part-time butchers boy.
Bert became Private 23092 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action on 9.2.1918 aged 20. He is buried at Beaumetz Crossroads Military Cemetery.
The War Diary for the day records that the Battalion were in the trenches facing Moeuvres. About 300 shells were fired over Battalion HQ during the day, otherwise quiet. Patrols at night had nothing unusual to report. W.O. received relative to relief by 1st/5th Seaforth Highlanders. Casualties, other ranks A Company 1 wounded, B Company 1 killed, C Company 1 wounded.
Bert’s photograph is in Illustrated Chronicle 6.4.1918 Pg 3.
Leicester Mercury 25.3.1918 Pg 4.
