Private Bertie William Coote
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known for certain. He may, however, be the Bertie William Coote born on 22 December 1891 at 16 Stayton Street, Chelsea, London, one of at least five children of house painter William Blake and his wife Eliza Mary (née Blake).
Coote enlisted or was called-up between 1916 and 1918, although when and with which regiment is not presently known. On 12 September 1918 he was one of 56 men from various English yeomanry regiments who were compulsorily transferred to the Corps of Hussars – he was issued regimental number 81252.
On the same day they embarked at Folkestone for Boulogne, where they were posted to the 1st North Irish Horse (V Corps Cyclist) Regiment. They joined the regiment in the field on or soon after 18 September, and were assigned to A, D and E Squadrons, joining in the fighting during the Advance to Victory offensive in the final weeks of the war.
On 2 March 1919 Coote was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.