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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

Men of RWRRWRlest we forget2tower poppiesThe Battle of the Somme film image1 3gallipoli

 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Corporal 260349 Thomas James BIRD - 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment

1s
Killed in Action on Thursday 21st March 1918 aged


Military History

   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders British War & Victory Medals Arras Memorial
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 Jan 1916 ~ Alveston
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place EnlistedOther War Memorials
German Spring Offensive Sep/Oct 1914 at Worcester Barbourne, Worcester
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units 
  Pte 235421 Worcestershire Yeomanry  
     

Circumstances of Death

Thomas was listed as being wounded and missing but his death in action was finally accepted as being on 21 March 1918 the first day of the German Spring Offensive. Thomas's wife Mabel was still writing to the Red Cross in July 1918 seeking his whereabouts. Click here for the Red Cross Records.

Because of the recorded casualties (see below) by the Battalion the war diary for both 21st and 22nd March 1918 is transcribed below. No soldiers were declared missing on the 21st.

War Diary 21st March

Favreuil Camp - 21 March 1918 - 5am: Heavy German bombardment of front system and back areas commenced. A few shells fell near Camp doing no damage

5.13am - Bnt had breakfasts and prepared to move

12 noon - Orders received to move to Fremicourt. On arrival at Fremicourt Bn ordered to take up a position astride the Bapaume - Cambrai Road east of Beugny.

6.15pm - Owing to reported breach of Corps Line about Vaulx Wood Bn was ordered to put one company into the Corps line E of Morchies with 2 companies to form a defensive flank from northern end of Morchies to Maricourt Wood. One company was ordered to remain in reserve with BN HQ in Sunken Road I.5.c.

On arrival in Corps Line it was found to be full of troops of 6th Division so Coys were disposed on night 21st/22nd as follows

A Coy (Co Comdr Lt F.G Elliot until killed in action 22.3.18 then 2 Lt W. Parker & subsequently 2 Lt E.W. Pickles) dug in on line I.5.a.5.7 to I.5.b.5.0.

B Coy (Co Comdr Capt J.M. Lett until killed in action 22.3.18 then Lt D J ? until killed in action 22.3.18, then Capt E Lattey) dug in along Sunken Road from I.4.d.6.7 to I.5.c.3.8

D Coy (Co Comdr 2nd Lt W.V. Shaw) dug in along Sunken Road from I.5.c.4.8 to I.5.d.4.4

C Coy (Co Comdr Capt E.V. Parsons dug in from I.10.b.3.6 to I.10.b.6.1. END



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1885 at Redditch  
   
Parents NamesAbode
Richard and Emma Bird Worcester
   
WifeMarriage Details
Mabel Bird nee Horsman 29 Dec 1915 at Alveston                 
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1885 - Redditch 1891 - Scholar
1891 - 44 Ipsley Street, Ipsley 1901 - Odd man  
1901 - Wellesbourne 1911 - Worcester
1911 - 5 Barbourne Walk, Worcester  
1915 - Jasmine Cottage, Alveston