Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

In 1891 on the EBSARY farm near Bute South Australia, Alan James Bertram, known as Bert, was the 2nd born of 8 children of Australian born James EBSARY and Eliza GOODGER.
2 years after discharge as medically unfit from the 1st AIF, young Bert married Miss BAKER in Bute. Bert and Clarice Beatrice Pearl had two children - a pigeon pair as my mum would say.
I believe my dad looked up to this big brother Bert. Two of the many stories dad told me were of how he and Bert worked together on the roads for Bute council, and even dug up people who's relatives wished to transfer the remains from the Bute Cemetery and take to a new home.
Bert's life after the war appears to have been made more difficult by his army experiences. He had several jobs and moved homes often but, naturally, couldn't relieve himself of the nightmares - sadly, returned soldiers at that time didn't talk of their issues.
aged about 48 he was dismissed suddenly from the council grader driver's job. I'm guessing that could be one of the reasons he and wife Clarice moved to Forestville, especially as he had a steady income as a pensioner.

I'm sure also, that the mental scars of the war were compounded with the deaths of his parents.
the final straw for his wife could have been after or during the periods of the deaths of Bert's older brother, Bert and Clarice's daughter and Bert's youngest brother.

most likely his depth of dismay led to his wife moving out of their home.

Bert was accepted at the War Veterans Home in Myrtle Bank and I believe dad and I were the only visitors he had - living with our young family in the west, my visits were rare and widely spread.
his son and especially his daughter-in-law and grand-daughter relayed to us how he was so awful they never wanted to see or hear of him again. that seemed so unfair - but I will never know the full story.

Bert lived another year after my dad died and while I was not in the state.

I don't know what sort of story you would like and I'm afraid it has been cathartic for me. if this is not acceptable or you wish to edit heavily, I will not be surprised nor will I be upset - just let me know.

you can see I have a biased view of Bert who was my fav of the 3 uncles - the oldest of whom died before I was born so I should really say fav of 2...