Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Bertram was born 13 July 1875 at St Vincent and the Grenadines, British West Indies . He was the son of Richard (a member of the Royal College of Surgeons) and his wife Harriet Lucy (nee Ody). The family were all born in the West Indies.
Unfortunately, both his parents died early in Bertram’s life, in the West Indies. His mother died when her son was aged 3 whilst his father lived a little longer dying when Bertram was aged 5.
1891 census shows Bertram listed as a visitor (not boarder) at the home of Miss Emily Kemp, 133 Brecknock Street St Pancras London. He was a scholar. It would appear there is some family connection with this address as another resident is an Ody which is his mother’s family name.
In 1896 at the age of 21 Bertram became a freemason by joining the Grand Lodge of Freemasons with St Clement Danes Lodge in London. After moving to Rye he became a member of Wellington Lodge but in neither Lodges progressed.
He qualified as a solicitor in February 1899 practicing at Newcastle and Gateshead.
In 1900 Bertram enlisted as 16493 Private in the 69 Sussex 14 Battalion Imperial Yeomanry – height 5 foot 11 inches and served in South Africa from 28 March 1900 to the 24th June 1901 in South Africa.
Bertram married Kate Fuller Simpson at Rye, Sussex in 1900.
By 1911 Bertram is living with his wife, Kate, at Rye Holme, Kells Lane, Low Fell. The couple are able to employ a servant. They do not have any children.
He appears to have gone into partnership with Mr Edward Clark carrying on business as solicitors in Worswick Chambers, Worswick Street, Newcastle. He also worked at 13 Shakespeare Street for a while. However on 6 March 1916 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent possibly as within a few weeks Bertram had enlisted. Mr Clark continued to practice alone.
Bertram enlisted into the Royal Marines on 30 March 1916 joining Royal Marines Light Infantry Chatham Division for short service. He was commissioned as temporary Lieutenant into the Royal Marines Submarine Miners (Chatham) on 19 April 1917. Having previously been Company Sergeant Major with RMSM. A year later, 19 October 1918, he was promoted again to temporary Captain.
He died of pneumonia following influenza ‘at home’ in the Naval Hospital at Chatham on 27 February 1919 aged 43 years. He is buried in Rye Cemetery, Sussex alongside 7 other WW1 comrades although he is not listed on Rye War memorial.
Bertram was entitled to the British War Medal only but also received Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.
His wife, Kate, married James Crawford (an osteopath) in London in 1923.
He is remembered at Rye Hill Sussex and on the Cenotaph at Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies
Bertram Cecil Keith Snagg is remembered locally at Gateshead Fell on G39.064 and at Newcastle on NUT061
