The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private W A J Bird

Private William Abraham John BIRD, G/18174, 7th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders, France, 4th October 1916, age 35.

Born Rugby, Warwickshire, son of John and Martha Jane Bird, of 20 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire.

24th June 1881, St Andrew, Rugby, baptism of William Abraham John Bird, son of John (tailor), and Martha Jane Bird, of 20 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire.

5th August 1908, St Andrews, Shropshire, married Sarah Alice Dawson, spinster, of Station Road, Knowle, Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Children - Frances Margaret Bird, born 17th July 1911, Knowle; John Dawson Bird, born 7th February 1914, Knowle.

1911 Census - Lodge Road, Knowle, Birmingham - William Abraham Bird, head, age 30, married, Head Teacher, County Council, born Rugby, Warwickshire; Alice Bird, wife, age 30, married 2 years, no children, born Newport, Shropshire.

Previously served 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 3 years.

Enlisted Knowle, Warwickshire, age 34, height 5ft 8½ inches, weight 12st 12lbs. Resided Rose Villa, Station Road, Knowle, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Headmaster of Knowle Parochial School.

Home 25th November 1915 to 28th August 1916; BEF 29th August 1916 to 4th October 1916.

25th November 1915, enlisted; 25th November 1915, to Army Reserve; 30th May 1916, mobilized; 31st May 1916, posted 29th Royal Fusiliers, Service No. PS/11541; 8th August 1916, appointed Lance Corporal; 29th August 1916, posted BEF & 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers; 10th September 1917, posted 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment;

24th November 1916, Probate - Bird William John Abraham of Station Road, Knowle, Warwickshire, schoolmaster, Lance Corporal, 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, died 4th October 1916, in France. Probate Birmingham 24th November to Sally Alice Bird, widow. Effects £266 14s 6d.

28th May 1917, pension of 22/11 a week awarded to widow & two children.

Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 11C, Somme, France.

This page was last updated on 10-Jan-2017.