Name
Henry Bird
15 May 1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/09/1916
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
78212
Royal Army Medical Corps
15th Field Ambulance
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PERONNE ROAD CEMETERY, MARICOURT
III. A. 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Sawbridgeworth Town Memorial, Great St Mary’s Church Memorial, Sawbridgeworth, Not on the Bishop's Stortford memorials
Pre War
Henry was born on the 15th May 1890, in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, and the son of Charles and Caroline Bird. He was baptised on the 7th September 1890 in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.
The 1891 census records Henry, aged 11 months, living with his parents, brother Charles at Cottage No 3, Spellbrook, Nr Bishop's Stortford, Herts. He was born there in May 1890.
In 1901 he was living with his parents, 2 brother and 2 sisters in Spellbrook, Nr. Bishop's Stortford, Herts and then in 1911, aged 20, he was single, still living at home with his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, in Spellbrook, Nr Bishop's Stortford, Herts. His occupation is a Gardener (Domestic). He was one of 7 children.
Henry married Florence Cracknell early in 1914, and they had two children, Doris and Henry.
He was said to be working as a Groom on his enlistment and gave his address as Spellbrook, nr Bishop's Stortford.
Wartime Service
Henry signed on in London on the 3rd November 1915, initially allocated to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. but was transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps, joining them at Aldershot on the 5th November 1915.
He served at home from 3rd November to 29th February 1916, then embarking at Southampton on the 1st March 1916, with the KK Reinforcements. He disembarked in Rouen on the 2nd March 1916 and was posted to the 15th Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. on the 9th March 1916.
Henry Bird’s death date is given as the 23 September 1916. This was the opening day of the Battle of Thiepval Ridge, a part of the Somme offensive. It is probable that this was where Henry was killed. He was aged 26.
Henry Bird is buried at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs F Bird, Spelbrook Lane, near Bishop's Stortford, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE". The CWGC records confirm that Henry was the son of Charles and the late Caroline Bird: Husband of Florence Bird, of Spellbrook Lane, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. Soldiers Died in the Great War shows his place of birth as Spellbrook in Berks which is an error. His widow Florence received a war gratuity of £3 10s and pay owing of £73 4s. She was also awarded a pension of 18 s 6d a week for herself and two children (Henry and Doris) from 2 April 1917, increasing to 22s 11d from 4 April 1917.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson, Stuart Osborne, Douglas Coe
