BERTIE VARNEY 1884–1959

Born 1st January 1884 in Newmarket, Suffolk

Married Florence Louise Bailey in 1903 in Newmarket

Children: Gladys Florence born 4.10.1904, Bessie Grace born 19.11.1905 and Frederick Bert born 31.3.1908 in Newmarket; Arthur born 15.11.1909, Frank Robert Charles born 19.11.1913, Peter Harold born 9.11.1915. in Radcliffe on Trent.

Died 1959, age 75 in Nottingham.

Buried in Radcliffe Cemetery, grave reference L169

1891 Census

Age 7, living in Exning, Suffolk with father John, 41, head man in racing stables, mother Emma, 40, brother Arthur William, 21, clerk, John Thomas 18, stud groom, sister Annie Elizabeth 16, dressmaker, sister Nellie 14, milliner’s apprentice, brothers Frederick 12, Albert 9, sisters Bessie 8, and Ethel Louisa 6.

1901 Census

Age 17 working as a groom and living at Wisemans Farm, Newmarket All Saints, Suffolk with brother John (Head of Household), stud groom, and brother Frederick, groom.

1911 Census

A stableman in a racing stables, living at 4 Grafton Street, Moodys Cottages, Newmarket with wife Florence, daughters Gladys 6, Bessie 5, and sons Bert 3, and Arthur 1.

Military Service

Rank: Private

Service Number: RX/4/214068, previously 56636

Military Unit: Army Service Corps Remount Squadron

Theatre of War: Military record indicates he remained in the U.K. and therefore did not enter a theatre of war

8.12.15: Attested Nottingham, Private 56636

Age 31 years 11 months, trade stud groom, height 5ft 8¼ins, weight 135 lbs, chest 38½ ins, range of expansion 2½ins, physical development very good, slight DAH (Disordered action of the heart); teeth bad, classified B1, fit for service at home and abroad subject to dental treatment

Next of kin: wife Florence Louise Varney, religion Church of England

Address: Sydney Grove, Radcliffe on Trent

9.12.15: To Army Reserve

23.6.16: Enlisted at Newark

24.7.16:  Mobilised

26.7.16: Posted, Romsey Remount Depot, Private Rx/4/214068

27.7.16: Attestation certified by Adjutant, Remount Depot in Romsey, Hants

19.9.16: Fit for Remount service overseas

20.9.16: Transferred to Class W Army Reserve. To be employed as a stud groom; employer Colonel Birkin, Radcliffe on Trent

Proceedings on transfer to the Army Reserve:

Number and rank: Rx/4/214068; Age 32 years 8 months, height 5 feet 8¼ inches, chest measurement (over waistcoat) 38½ inches, waist measurement (over top of trousers) 36 inches, exact size of helmet 7⅛, boots size 8, complexion fresh, eyes blue, hair dark brown, intended place of residence Sidney Grove, Radcliffe-on-Trent; classified B1, military character good. Home from 24.7.16 to 20.9.16

14.12.18: Discharged surplus to military requirements.

Total service towards engagement to 14.12.18: 3 years 6 days

Medals Awarded: ineligible for campaign medals as served in the U.K.

Other Information

He was living in Radcliffe before the war (sons Arthur and Frank were born in Radcliffe in 1909 and 1913), it is possible that he was already working for Colonel Birkin at that time.

1921 Census

Address: Sidney Grove, Radcliffe

Employment: Stud groom, Col Birkin, Lamcote House

Household: wife Florence, daughters, Gladys, machinist, H Cox and Co, Castle Boulevard, Bessie, artificial flower maker, sons Bert, Arthur, Robert and Peter.

1922 Register

Address: Sydney Grove, Radcliffe on Trent

1939 Register

Address: Main Road, Lamcote, Radcliffe on Trent

Occupation: Groom-gardener

Household: living with wife Florence, daughter Bessie Woolfitt (Varney), domestic servant, son Arthur, gardener and son Peter, motor mechanic.

Other information

Son Arthur Varney died WW2

CWGC: Service Number 2621290. Died 10.04.1943. Aged 37. Grenadier Guards. Son of Bertie and Florence Varney, of Radcliffe-on-Trent.

Grandson Anthony Varney drowned in the River Trent July 1935

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Lived and worked in Radcliffe on Trent