Name
Henry Graham Bird
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/03/1919
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
TR/10/65977
105th Bn, Training Reserve
Transf. to (362911) Labour Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WATFORD CEMETERY
Plot A, Row 4, Grave 244.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
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.
Henry was born 1893 in Watford, died in Watford, and was buried 31 March.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a shop assistant aged 18, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 15 June 1917 at Bedford for the Duration of the War: a clothier’s/outfitter’s assistant aged 24, 5’3¾” tall, C of E, his next-of-kin his father of Watford.
He served at Home 25 June 1917 to 2 April 1918, when he was discharged at Nottingham as no longer physically fit for War Service, suffering from mitral valvular disease. He was transferred to the 359th (Reserve) Battalion of the Labour Corps 5 September 1917. As he did not serve overseas, he has no medals, nor does he appear to have an entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for Henry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 29 March 1919.
Henry is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Vicarage Road Cemetery. His brother Arthur died 15 September 1916 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
We believe that he appears as G or Graham 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.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
