I got to know Bert quite well, and often drove him to and from gigs. For many years I ran a folk club at Blackheath which was not far from his home, so I booked him for gigs quite a few times.

Bert's singing was not to everyone's taste, but I loved the expression he could get into that high-pitched quavery voice, which always seemed to have a sort of chuckle in it. I once heard someone describe him as having a "Wicked" old voice and knew exactly what they meant (although of course the term has aquired a different connotation these days). I particularly enjoyed his skill in telling humorous yarns ie "The Sleeve Job" = it was worth waiting for the anticlimatic conclusion.

If you chance to see the Gregory Peck version of "Moby Dick" look out for (a rather younger) Bert, who also is to be heard leading a shanty.