Bertram George Tucker was born in 1895 at Athelhampton, in Dorsetshire, the third of five sons to William George Tucker, a labourer, and Bertha Tucker (formerly Wallis). He was baptised at Athelhampton Parish Church on 7 July, 1896. He had four brothers: Ernest William (1891); Joseph Lewis (1894); Charles James (1899); and Reginald Robert (1902).

The family was still living at Athelhampton in 1901, but by 1911 were living at Castle Hill, in Puddletown, Dorsetshire. By that time the father was employed as a farm labourer, whilst the 15-year-old Bertram was employed as a painter. He was unmarried.

[His brother, Joseph Lewis, served as a private in the Dorsetshire Yeomanry and then as a private in the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry).]

Bertram George Tucker's service record has not survived, and what is known has been extrapolated from other sources.

As Bertram Tucker, he enlisted at Dorchester, joining the Dorsetshire Regiment as a private, no. 19577. Surviving papers show that he served with the 6th (Service) Battalion, and there is no indication that he served with any other unit.

The 6th Battalion was formed at Dorchester in September, 1914, and in March, 1915, joined the 50th Brigade in the 17th Division, and landed at Boulogne, in France, in July, 1915.

By virtue of the fact that he did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star, he did not proceed on overseas service until 1916 onwards, and would have joined the battalion in a draft of reinforcements.

By May, 1917, the battalion was engaged in the Arras sector and during the month had suffered 151 casualties but received 184 reinforcements, By the end of the month it had withdrawn to Grenas.

The battalion moved back to the Black Line at Arras on 20 June, and withdrew to Gavrelle at the end of the month, and thence to St. Nicholas Camp. The battalion suffered only 7 casualties during June, but received 78 reinforcements.

The battalion began July at St. Nicholas Camp before moving into reserve at the Gavrelle Switch Trench on 7 July. It then moved forward to the trenches at the Chemical Works on 11 July, and withdrew back to Gavrelle four days later. It then returned to the Chemical Works for another period before returning the St. Nicholas Camp on 24 July, and on 27 July it moved to a new camp at Roclincourt. During the month it suffered 22 casualties, but received 146 reinforcements.

The battalion returned to the trenches on 1 August for five days, during a quiet period, and then took up position in the Gavrelle Line, occupying Hudson and Hussar Trenches. It then provided working parties, before taking over the right sub-sector on 11 August. Patrols were sent out the next day and improvements were made to the trenches, and three days were then spent strengthening the wiring in the Support Line. The battalion was relieved on 17 August and moved back to Lichfield Camp at St. Nicholas, for general training, until 23 August.

On 23 August 8 officers and 360 other ranks worked on Colon Avenue, travelling by light railway. They entrained at St. Nicholas and detrained at Fampoux, and returned by the same route.

On 24 August the battalion took over the left support sub-sector, with three companies in the Gavrelle Switch in the Chemical Works sector.

The men worked on the trenches over the period 25-29 August, which was very quiet, except on 27 August. On that day a carrying party from 'B' Company sustained 4 killed, 1 died of wounds and 3 wounded.

One of those killed or who died was Private Bertram Tucker. He was aged 21.

Private Bertram Tucker lies buried in the Sunken Road Cemetery at Fampoux, with his grave marked by a CWGC headstone. He is also commemorated on the war memorial within St. Mary's Church, at Puddletown in Dorsetshire.

Bertram Tucker's service earned him the British War Medal, 1914-20; and Victory Medal, 1914-19.