Name
Albert Bird
13 March 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/02/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
30815
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, St John the Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Aldenham, Letchmore Heath Village Memorial, Not on the St Albans memorials, Not on the Radlett memorials
Pre War
Albert Bird was born in St Albans, Herts on 13 March 1886 to Eli Thomas and Louisa Bird and baptised at St Stephen, Frogmore, Herts on 25 April 1886.
The family were living at Frogmore on the 1891 Census. By 1901 they had moved to High Cross, Aldenham where his father was an Under Gardener (Domestic) and Licensed Victualler (Pub).
He married Ethel Smith in 1910 and on the 1911 Census, Albert and his wife Ethel were living at Malt Lane, Radlett, where he was working as a Gardener Domestic. They had a boarder William Francis living with them, who was a Chauffeur Domestic. Their son Kenneth John was born on 25 January 1916.
Wartime Service
Albert enlisted in Bedford and served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He was killed on 11 February 1917 during operations on the Ancre when the 4th Bedford Regiment were ordered to push forward their line on the eastern side of the Puisieux Road. Zero hour at 9.00 pm commenced with a barrage on enemy lines followed by the line advancing, however the left Company was temporarily held up by enemy wire and heavy machine gun fire after which the Company in support pushed forward.
Additional Information
His widow, Ethel received a war gratuity of £3 as well as pay owing of £2 10s 6d. She also received a pension of 18s 9d a week from 15 October 1917. Probate increased this £180 4s 4d His younger brother Private S/13019 William Bird of The Rifle Brigade was Killed in Action on 18th January 1916, aged 16. (He lied about his age when he enlisted).
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Stuart Osborne, Taff Williams
Gareth Hughes
