William Bertam's Story.
William Bertram Rogerson, aka Bettley, died of wounds on 10th October 1916. He was 25 years old, and left a widow, Nellie.
(See also William James Bettley 17859, 9th Cheshire Regiment, who died on 7th June 1917, aged 22.)
Sergeant W. B. Bettley.
(See also William James Bettley 17859, 9th Cheshire Regiment, who died on 7th June 1917, aged 22.)
Sergeant W. B. Bettley.
Official information has been received by Mrs Bettley, 8 Beech Grove, Crewe, that her husband Sergeant W.B. Bettley, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment has died of wounds received in action. Sergeant Bettley wrote from a hospital on October 8 stating that his left leg had been amputated and he was also injured in the right leg, left wrist and right eye. Although very weak Sergeant Bettley wrote very cheerful letters hoping for the best, but he died two days later on October 10. His wife received news from the War Office the same post as his own letter. Sergeant Bettley was previously a machinist in the fitting shop at Crewe works. He enlisted on the outbreak of war and had been at the front since April 1915. His parents live at 9 Fletcher Street, Crewe.
Nantwich Guardian October 27, 1916.
William Bertram Rogerson was born on 5th February 1891 in Eaton, Tarporley, Cheshire. He was the eldest son of William Rogerson (1875–1947) and Leah Bettley (1867–1951), and brother to Samuel (1894–1959), George Henry (1896–1961), Cyril (1899–1971), Ethel (1899–1975), Herbert (1901–1977) and Mary Elizabeth (1905–).
He was baptised in Tarporley on 10th March 1891, and by 1899 was growing up in Crewe, where his father worked as a brickmaker. The family address in 1901 was 80 Newdigate Street. On 5th February 1906, his fifteenth birthday, William was taken on as a boy labourer for the London and North West Railway Company. in Crewe.
The 1911 census shows his family living at 9 Fletcher Street, Crewe, and using the surname Bettley. William enlisted into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at the start of the war using that name. On 15th March 1915, William Rogerson married Nellie Roberts (1893–1974) of 8 Beech Grove, Crewe.
Within a fortnight, William had been sent to the front. In October 1916, he was wounded in France. In hospital, his left leg was amputated and he was also injured in the right leg, left wrist and right eye. He died of his wounds on 10th October 1916.
Medaille Militaire presented by the KIng
William received the Medaille Militaire (French) in 1917, and his wife was presented with this at a ceremony in Chester attended by the King and Queen.
Nantwich Guardian 27 July 1917.
His widow Nellie married William's younger brother George Henry Rogerson on 4th October 1921 in the Wedgwood Methodist Church, Heath Street, Crewe. They had three sons - Gordon, Dennis and Alan. Nellie died in 1974.
Additional research by Shena Lewington (October 2025)
William Bertram Rogerson was born on 5th February 1891 in Eaton, Tarporley, Cheshire. He was the eldest son of William Rogerson (1875–1947) and Leah Bettley (1867–1951), and brother to Samuel (1894–1959), George Henry (1896–1961), Cyril (1899–1971), Ethel (1899–1975), Herbert (1901–1977) and Mary Elizabeth (1905–).
He was baptised in Tarporley on 10th March 1891, and by 1899 was growing up in Crewe, where his father worked as a brickmaker. The family address in 1901 was 80 Newdigate Street. On 5th February 1906, his fifteenth birthday, William was taken on as a boy labourer for the London and North West Railway Company. in Crewe.
The 1911 census shows his family living at 9 Fletcher Street, Crewe, and using the surname Bettley. William enlisted into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at the start of the war using that name. On 15th March 1915, William Rogerson married Nellie Roberts (1893–1974) of 8 Beech Grove, Crewe.
Within a fortnight, William had been sent to the front. In October 1916, he was wounded in France. In hospital, his left leg was amputated and he was also injured in the right leg, left wrist and right eye. He died of his wounds on 10th October 1916.
Medaille Militaire presented by the KIng
William received the Medaille Militaire (French) in 1917, and his wife was presented with this at a ceremony in Chester attended by the King and Queen.
Nantwich Guardian 27 July 1917.
His widow Nellie married William's younger brother George Henry Rogerson on 4th October 1921 in the Wedgwood Methodist Church, Heath Street, Crewe. They had three sons - Gordon, Dennis and Alan. Nellie died in 1974.
Additional research by Shena Lewington (October 2025)