Name
Alfred John Birch
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/09/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
266820
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH
Plot II, Row C, Grave 15.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Henry Jonathan Joseph and Elizabeth (nee HOBBS) BIRCH.
His parents married 5 August 1888 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts. Elizabeth died 1920 in Watford aged 54, and was buried 24 June in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Henry died 1932 in Watford aged 66, and was buried 10 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Alfred was born 18 January 1898 in Watford, and baptised 26 April 1898 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Watford Fields school; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 9 March 1908 to 1 March 1909. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, a schoolboy aged 13, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and seven siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hertford, and was formerly Private 5412 Hertfordshire Regiment.
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Alfred’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
