Private Charles James Bird
| Date of Birth | c. 1895 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 21 |
| Date of Death | 22 October 1916 |
| Service Number | 5677 |
| Military Service | 15th Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wales Own, Civil Service Rifles) |
| Merton Address | 17 Crisp Road, Hammersmith |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Charles was born in 1895 at St. James, Westminster. His mother was Mary Ann Bird, and his father James was a Dairyman running his own business. In 1901 the family were living at 18 Brewer Street, Westminster. James was 5 years old by that time, and had an older sister Elsie aged 7 and a younger brother George aged 4. The family were prosperous enough to employ a servant named Alice.
By 1911 the family were still living at the same address, and Mary was assisting in the family business. They no longer had a live in servant, but had a boarder named Antonio Gibell who was a tailor from Italy. Two more children had joined the family, Kathleen 5 and Stanley aged 3. Charles was now fifteen years old and was employed as a Silver Engraver.
At some point it seems that Charles moved south as he was living in Tooting when he enlisted with the 15th Battalion of the London Regiment. Not much is known about his military history, but his battalion would have seen action at various battles on the Western Front including the Battle of Vimy Ridge (21 May 1916), and other Battles of the Somme - such as The Battle of Transloy Ridge (1 October 1916), and attacks on the Butte De Warlencourt (7 October 1916).
Charles died of wounds on 22 October 1916, and is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen. The inscription on his grave reads: “Sleep on dear boy in a soldier’s grave for safe in God’s keeping you now lie”. He is also commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.