Name
Wilfred Stanley Bird
28 Sep 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
King's Royal Rifle Corps
5th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 32 and 33.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Cockfosters Village Memorial, New College Memorial Oxford, Oxon
Pre War
Wilfred Stanley was born on 28 Sep 1883 in Yiewsley, Hillingdon, Middlesex to Rev. Henry George Bird, Vicar of St Andrews Hillingdon and Henrietta Maria (nee Greenham).
On 1891 Census the family of Mother father, Wilfred, Muriel, Charles and Ethel were living at the Vicarage, Hillingdon. Wilfred was educated at Grange prep School, Eastbourne: Malvern College where he represented the College at Cricket, Fives and Football. On the 1901 Census he is recorded at Malvern College.
Wilfred went up to New College Oxford where he played cricket for the University, being captain in 1906. He was also member of the Middlesex team but played a small number of matches due to circumstances and played for the Gentlemen v. Players. A good batsman but excellent wicket keeper he was invited to South Africa and Australia.
After graduation with a Master of Arts Degree he became a Schoolmaster at Ludgrove School, Cockfosters. He was a member of the Officers Training Corps. Wilfred was living at Trent Cottage, Ludgrove.
Wartime Service
Wilfred was gazetted as Lieutenant on 29 Dec 1914 to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in the 6th (Reserve) Battalion and was sent on 31 Mar 1915 to 2nd Battalion KRRC on active service at the Front since Aug 1914. He was killed in action, leading his Platoon, on 9 May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Although there were reports that he had buried His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.
His Major wrote: ‘Bird was gallantly leading his men when he was shot, and died instantly.’ Adding ‘He was a splendid fellow, and a very promising officer and very popular with officers and men alike. I am more than sorry to lose him.’
Additional Information
Probate of £10874 15s 5d was granted to his executors. A memorial to Wilfred and others who fell in the Great War consists of the cricket ground of Uxbridge Club.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
