Name
Charles Bird
13/06/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/04/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
19347
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the fallen in France.
UK & Other Memorials
St Thomas' Mission Hall, Green Tye, St Thomas' Church Memorial, Perry Green, Much Hadham Village Memorial, St Andrew’s Church Memorial, Much Hadham, Stone Bench Plaque, Much Hadham, Congregational Church Memorial, Hadham Cross
Pre War
Charles Bird was born in 1896 in Green Tye, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, son of William Bird, an Agricultural Worked and Emma (nee Harwick) Bird. He was one of seven children. Christened on 21st July 1895, in Much Hadham, Herts.
1901 Census records Charles aged 5, living with his parents, sister Elsie (9) and three brothers William (19), George (14), and Alfred (12) in, Green Tye, Much Hadham, Herts.
1911 Census Charles had left school and was working as a Farm Labourer, living with his parents, and brother Alfred in, Green Tye.
Wartime Service
Charles travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlisted. Posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 19347.
He was killed in action at Arras. (Battle of Arras) on 29 April 1917. This was a British offensive attack on German trenches near the French city of Arras that started on April 9th and lasted until May 16th. The British made significant advances but no breakthrough.
4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment War Diary Extract:
“28th April 1917 - Oppy Line Battalion received sudden orders to move up to front line under orders of G.O.C. to attack Oppy trench system from Rly. On right to 500 yards North of Rly. On left."
“29th April 1917 [The Battle of Arras – the phase Arleux] - Battalion attacked at dawn and captured objective. Was counter attacked and driven out. Recaptured trench and consolidated it about 11am. Trench heavily shelled by the Bosches all day. Battalion relieved at night by H. A. C."
Additional Information
His effects of £5-14s-9d, Pay Owing and £11, War Gratuity went to his father William Bird. His brother Lance Corporal Alfred Bird who was killed on 25 Oct 1918 and is also commemorated on these memorials.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, “Lest We Forget – Much Hadham 1914-18” by Richard Maddams (Much Hadham Forge Museum)
