Name
Francis James Birdseye
10 December 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
919295
Canadian Infantry
24th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
Q. IV. K. 15.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Roman Catholic Church Memorial of St Joseph and the English Martyrs, Windhill, Bishop's Stortford
Pre War
Francis James Birdseye was born on 10 December 1883 in Islington, London to Thomas and Mary E Birdseye. In 1891 the family were living at 25 Langdon Road, Hornsey, Middlesex where his father was working as a merchant's clerk. By 1901 the family had moved to Meadowside, Hendon and Francis was working as a clerk.
He emigrated to Canada in 1906 and was living as a boarder in Montreal ,St Antoine Sub-Districts 1 -47 Quebec, Canada on the 1911 Census with his wife Fanny and child Francis aged 1. His parents were living in at 38 Portland Road, Bishops Stortford on 1911 UK Census. On enlistment he was still working as a clerk, but was living at 479½ Seigneurs Street, Montreal, Canada.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on 24 April 1916 in Montreal, Canada and arrived in England on 25 December 1916. He suffered from trench fever from 11 October 1917 to 14 November 1917. Then suffered a gunshot wound to his spine on 11 August 1918 from which he never recovered.
The following is an extract from Canadian records: "This soldier took part with his Battalion in operations near Marcelcave. On the way to the objective, after having gone a short distance, he was seen to fall, apparently from shock, as no wounds were evident. He enlisted on 24 April 1916 in Montreal, Canada and arrived in England on 25 December 1916. He suffered from trench fever from 11 October 1917 to 14 November 1917. Then suffered a gunshot wound to his spine on 11 August 1918 from which he never recovered." The following is an extract from Canadian records: "This soldier took part with his Battalion in operations near Marcelcave. On the way to the objective, after having gone a short distance, he was seen to fall, apparently from shock, as no wounds were evident. It is believed that while proceeding to the rear in a dazed condition, he received a gunshot wound in the spine from the effects of which he died later at No. 5 General Hospital, Rouen."
Additional Information
His widow was contactable via the Board of Pension Commissioners at 406 Drummond Bldg, Montreal, Quebec and then her address was given as Oxford House, Bishops Stortford. His mother's address was given as Mrs Ellen Birdseye of 38 Portland Road, Bishops Stortford, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer
