On this occasion tribute was being paid to Herbert Ernest “Bert” Black, who had lived much of his life at the pub when it was run by his father. Members of his family were at the ceremony.
Bert Black was fatally wounded in action as a Hurricane pilot in the Battle of Britain. He only lived to be 26 but made much of his life. He won a scholarship to Dixie Grammar School at Market Bosworth, played cricket for the school team and a local club and was noted for his ability at hockey and billiards.
Bert was a scout and became a scoutmaster. He studied further and worked in the weights and measures inspectorate. In 1937 he began to train as a pilot in the RAFVR.
Gwendoline “Gwen” Cuthbert, a school teacher, had been Bert’s sweetheart since childhood. In 1999 she recalled her wedding day in June 1940 for the author, Michael Kendrick:
“There was a pitter-patter [of gravel] on my bedroom window. I was a bit concerned but on peering out I saw Bert standing there with a beam on his face. He told me to get dressed quickly because he had arranged to pick up a special marriage licence from Leicester: we were married at St Denys’s church that very afternoon.”
At this point Bert was home from France, where he flew Fairey Battles with No 226 Squadron. He volunteered for Fighter Command and served with Nos 32 and 257 Squadrons before moving to No 46 Squadron.
On 29 October 1940 Sergeant Black was shot down in combat with Bf 109s over Kent. The hood of his Hurricane jammed and he was badly burned, adding to serious wounds, when he eventually managed to escape.
Bert had both his legs amputated and eventually died in hospital at Ashford on 9 November. Gwen had been at his bedside throughout.
When the Dixie Grammar School Second World War memorial was put in place in 1951 the name “H E Black” was included in the list of the fallen. However, it seems to have been a surprise to all at the school when, in 2007, an approach came from the Battle of Britain Historical Society, which wished to provide a plaque in memory of Bert Black.
Since then the school has adopted its own member of the Few with respect and enthusiasm. For example, a nomination for the green plaque was made and pupils have taken Bert Black’s grave in the churchyard at Ibstock from an overgrown state to pristine condition.
Gwen Black became headmistress of several schools and never remarried. Since her death in 2004 she has been with Bert in the now restored grave. She had worried that Bert would be forgotten. He is not.
Geoff Simpson FRHistS
Pupils from Dixie Grammar School work on the churchyard grave containing Bert and Gwen Black.
