Name
William Bird
15 Feb 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/01/1916
16
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/13019
Rifle Brigade
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 46 - 48 and 50.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Aldenham, St John the Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Aldenham, Not on the St Albans Memorials, Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
William was born in Frogmore, St Albans, Herts, on 15 Feb 1899 (baptised on 2 Apr 1899, at Holy Trinity Church, Frogmore), 4th son of Eli Thomas Bird, and Louisa Bird (nee Humbles).
The 1901 Census records William aged 2, living with his parents, Annie (born 1885), Albert (born 1886), Ethel (born 1889), Thomas (born 1891) Harry (born 1893), Elsie (born 1895), Louisa (born 1897), at High Cross, Aldenham, Herts. They have a boarder Frederick Farr, a Domestic Coachman.
The 1911 Census records William aged 12, at school, living with his parents, brother Harry, sister Louisa, John (born 1902), Ernest Frederick (born 1905), George (born 1908) and Leonard (born 1911) at High Cross, Aldenham, Herts.
At the time William enlisted he was working as a Gardener and recorded as born in St Albans and was living in Watford when he enlisted in London.
Wartime Service
William enlisted at London on 11 Jun 1915, he gave his age as 19 years (actually 15) and was employed as a Gardener and living at High Cross, Aldenham. He was posted to The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) as Rifleman S/13019. Joining his Regiment at Winchester on 14 Jun 1915. He was posted to 14th (Reserve) Battalion on 19 Jun 1915 for training and embarked for France on 17 Sep 1915 on a posting to 9th Battalion in the field.
William was killed in action on 18 Jan 1916, aged 16.
His captain wrote: “We were digging a new trench connecting two other trenches, when Bird was hit in the neck by a stray bullet; we managed to get down on a stretcher to the dressing station but he died almost as soon as he got there and within an hour of being hit. We buried him just behind our second line. I am very sorry to lose Bird; he had been in my Company some time.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £2 13s 8d was paid to his mother Louisa. His father Eli was awarded a Dependents Pension of 5/- a week from 6 Nov 1918
His elder brother Private 30815 Albert Bird of the 4 Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was Killed in Action on 11 Feb 1917, aged 31.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes
