Bertram Lionel PASK was born on 14 June 1880 at 52 Lower Harding Street, Northampton. He was one of sixteen children of Thomas Henry and Elizabeth PASK née MALLARD:

1. Ada Minnie PASK (1871-1871) ― died in infancy
2. Charles Albert PASK (1871-1874) ― died in infancy
3. Herbert Edwin PASK (1872-1872) ― died in infancy
4. Herbert Edwin PASK (1873-1874) ― died in infancy
5. Bertram Lionel PASK (4 August 1874 – 18 November 1875) ― died in infancy
6. Florence Emily PASK (1875-    )
7. Maude Elizabeth PASK (1878-    )
8. Thomas Henry PASK’s (1879-1879) ― died in infancy
9. Bertram Lionel PASK (14 June 1880 – 16 September 1914)
10. Lilian Gertrude PASK (11 July 1882 –    )
11. Mabel May PASK’s (1884-1884) ― died in infancy
12. Muriel Madeline V. PASK (1886-1887) ― died in infancy
13. Violet Ethel PASK (1888-1889) ― died in infancy
14. Jessie Evelyn PASK (1889-1891) ― died in infancy
15. Ernest William (1891-1891) ― died in infancy
16. Ivy Louise PASK (24 June 1892 –    )

To have lost eleven children in infancy, and then to lose your only surviving son must have been heart-breaking.

In the census of 3 April 1881 at 39 Lower Harding Street, Northampton, Bertram was listed as aged 9 months. In the census of 5 April 1891 at 39 Leicester Street, Northampton, Bertram was listed as a scholar aged 10.

Bertram married Elizabeth JOHNSON on 15 Feb 1906 at The Register Office, Northampton, Northamptonshire. He was listed as a Bachelor aged 25, a Corporal in the 1^st Northants Regiment, residing at 18 Victoria Street, Northampton. The marriage was witnessed by Fred JOHNSON (father of the bride), and Mary Elizabeth KINGSBY.

Bertram and Elizabeth had five children:

1. Agnes Mary PASK (21 September 1906 –    )
2. Bertram Lionel PASK (27 November 1907 – 19 February 1984)
3. Frederick Henry PASK (11 November 1909 – 19 January 1987)
4. Cynthia Grace PASK (17 July 1912 –     )
5. Gordon Mons Aisne PASK (13 October 1914 – 16 April 1942)

Between 1895 and 1901, Bertram joined the 1st Northampton Regiment, his service number was 5115.

At the time of his son Bertram Lionel’s birth registration on 22 Dec 1907, he was a Lt. Sergeant in the Command of the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment, serving in Jullunder, Punjab, India. His son Frederick Henry was born in 1909 in Poona, Maharashtra, India.

In the census of 2 Apr 1911 at 18 Victoria Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire, he was listed as a Sergeant Infantry Soldier in the British Army, aged 30 born in Northampton, the son of Elizabeth PASK. Also listed was her wife Elizabeth, and children Agnes Mary, Bertram Lionel, and Frederick Henry.

Bertram was killed in action on 16 September 1914, fighting in World War I, at the age of 34. He attained the rank of Serjeant. Bertram is commemorated in perpetuity at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, Seine-et-Marne, France.

He would never know his son Gordon Mons Aisne PASK, who was born on 13 October 1914, and was named in memory of Captain Robert Eddington GORDON (son of George and Violette E. Gordon, of “Ellerslie”, Gordon St., Toorak, Melbourne) Australia 1st Bn., Northamptonshire Regiment who died, age 37, on 15 September 1914. Also the battles in which his father had fought, and died.

His son, Gordon Mons Aisne PASK, also died fighting for his country in World War II on 16 April 1942, at the age of 27. He was a Fireman in the Merchant Navy, serving on S.S. Caspia off Beirut.

Bertram’s full narrative, together with sources and citations is available on http://www.pask.org.uk/Pask-p/p275.htm#i6874.