Name
Arthur (Gordon) Bird
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
350860
London Regiment
1st/7th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 9D, 9C, 13C and 12C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford, St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Henry John and Rose Emily (nee CHAPMAN) BIRD of Watford.
His parents married 12 August 1890 at Sts Mary and Thomas, Knebworth, Herts. Henry died 21 January 1938 in Watford aged 78, and was buried 25 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Rose died 17 November 1939 in St Alban’s, Herts, aged 72, and was buried 21 November, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Arthur was born 1895 in Watford, and resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 6 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, an auctioneer’s clerk aged 16, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Sun Street, London, and was formerly Private 2804 7th London Regiment.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 18 March 1915, and was presumed killed in action.
Additional Information
He is believed to appear as G or Gordon on some Watford memorials.
Henry is buried in Watford Cemetery (non CWGC grave) and his brother Arthur is also commemorated on grave's headstone in Watford Cemetery. Their inscription reads:
IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SONS
HENRY GRAHAM BIRD PTE. 3RD BATT. K.O.S. BORD. WHO DIED MARCH 26TH 1918. AGED 26 YEARS.
ARTHUR GORDON BIRD PTE. 7TH BATT. LONDON REGT. KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE SEPT. 13TH 1916. AGED 21 YEARS.
MARK THEM TO BE NUMBERED WITH THY SAINTS IN GLORY EVERLASTING.
There is an article about Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 7 October 1916, plus an article and Death announcement in the issue dated 7 July 1917. Arthur is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Vicarage Road Cemetery. His brother Henry died 26 March 1919 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Unfortunately, Arthur’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)
