Myre's Story.
Birkenhead News 11 September 1915A POPULAR SERGEANT
Killed in Gallipoli.
Mr. and Mrs Berkson, of 322, Park Road North, have received a letter from Second Lieut. S. J. Knowles, of the Machine Gun Section of the 1/4th Cheshires, to say that their son, Sergeant Myre Berkson, has been killed in action in Gallipoli. The letter reads :-
“In the trenches Gallipoli, 22/8/15.
“My dear Mr. and Mrs. Berkson, - It is with very deep regret that I have to write these few lines. I was next to your son when he was hit, and it came as a terrible shock to me. I have known him very intimately for eight months or so, and can only say I have always looked upon him as one of my most promising N.C.O.’s, and a very good-hearted and nice lad.
On behalf of the Machine Gun Section and myself I beg to tender my most sincere and heartfelt sympathy with you and yours in your great sorrow.
I am a father myself and can perhaps understand, anyhow to a small extent, your feelings – Yours very sincerely.
S J Knowles, 2nd Lt. M.G. Section, 4th Cheshires.”
Sergeant Berkson was a native of Birkenhead, and an old scholar of Laird Street School. He had been three years with the “Fourth” before the outbreak of war, taking many prizes for shooting. He served his time as a plumber, and then worked with Messrs. Cammell Laird. He was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant since the battalion left England. He was always very well liked, and at school he gained the “popular boy” prize.