Name
Albert Birch
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/03/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9676
Lincolnshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Not on the Bushey memorials, Not on the Watford memorials (*1)
Pre War
Albert Birch was born in Bushey, Herts in 1893 son of George Birch a Plumber and Eliza Birch (nee Mole). He was one of ten children.
His parent’s married 16 June 1889 at Holy Trinity, Grays Inn Road, Holborn, London. George died 1902 in the Dartford, Kent, district aged 42.
1901 Census records Albert aged 8, living with his parents, brother William 11, sisters Alice 10, Edith 6, Florence 4 and Ethel 2, at 20 Villers Road, Bushey, Herts.
In 13 December 1910 Albert he enlisted, which explains why he is proving elusive 1911 Census.
in the Hussars of the Line, for 7 years in the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve, and given the Service No. 6591.
He enlisted in Watford for Short Service (7 years with the Colours, 5 years with the Reserves), in the 11th Battalion Hussars of the Line, and joined at Dublin 17 December 1910: a general labourer aged 18, 5’5″ tall, C of E, next-of-kin his mother of Oxhey, Herts.
Unfortunately, he went Absent Without Leave 14 July 1911 and was given eight days punishment. He then deserted 26 December 1911, but was apprehended 27 December 1911. Was tried by District Court Marshal and sentenced to 72 days detention 5 January 1912. All his former service was forfeited on conviction of desertion, and he was discharged for misconduct 19 January 1912.
He re-enlisted in Grimsby, Lincs. as Private 9676 with the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire. When he was officially recorded as born in Watford and enlisting in Grimsby, *1 however it is possible that he was born in Bushey or Oxhey, Watford, in which case our recording of him against Watford is misleading.
Wartime Service
His Medal Card indicates he disembarked in France on 6th November 1914.
He was killed in action on 10 March 1915, aged 22. He is remembered with honour at the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Panel 8, in France and is commemorated at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals.
Additional Information
His Medal Card indicates he disembarked in France on 6th November 1914. He was killed in action on 10 March 1915, aged 22. He is remembered with honour at the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Panel 8, in France and is commemorated at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
