Bertie Damant was born in 1898, the youngest son of Ellen Damant. In 1911, he was repairing bicycles for a local bicycle dealer.

Bertie was conscripted into the army on 29th January 1916, in Woodbridge, when he reached the age of eighteen. He first served with the 13th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (Wandsworth), travelling to France on 4th June 1916. Bertie then transferred to the 14th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizens) Regiment.

In 1917, the battalion was serving in the Ypres salient, fighting at the Battle of Messines, after which, they took part in the Third Battle of Ypres. Between the 16th and 17th August, Bertie’s battalion took part in the Battle of Langemarck and it was here Bertie was wounded. The War Office daily list of casualties reported the incident on 19th September 1917.

Bertie returned to Britain for treatment and was eventually discharged, on 26th January 1918, due to his wounds. For his war service, he received the British War and Victory Medals and the Silver War Badge. Bertie died at the early age of thirty on 31st March 1928. He is buried in Woodbridge Cemetery.