Name
Harry Edward Bird
8/08/1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
41365
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial to the missing, France.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Cheshunt memorials, Old Harlow Memorial Cross
Pre War
Harry Edward Bird was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on 8 August 1899, son of Henry Edward Bird a, Gardener and Maria Ann Bird (nee Knight). One of three children, Beatrice (B 1898) and Herbert (B 1901).
He was Baptised in the Parish of Cheshunt, on 3 September 1899.
1901 Census records Harry aged 1, living with his parents, sister Beatrice (2) and brother Herbert (3 months) in, Brookfield Lane, Cheshunt, Herts. The family had a Boarder living with them Johannes Reyker a, Nurseryman.
1911 Census records Harry aged 11, at school, living with his parents, sister Beatrice and brother Herbert in, Hobbs Cross Road, Harlow, Essex.
Wartime Service
Harry Enlisted at Banbury, Oxfordshire, posted to the Training Reserve Battalion with the service number 8/10756. Mobilized for war and posted to the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, with the service number 41365. He was killed in action on 31 August 1918, at the Battle of Bapaume (21 Aug to 3 Sept 1918). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial to the missing, France.
“The 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry saw action on the Western Front before being re-deployed to Italy in December 1917, returning to the Western Front in April 1918”.
Additional Information
His mother Maria Ann Bird received a Dependents Pension of 5/- a week from 1 April 1919. His effects of £6-15s-00d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £3, went to his brother Herbert Eric Bird.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
