L/Cpl 42949 Alfred Birch

Alfred Birch was born in the June quarter of 1893 probably in May at 13 Victoria Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancs  to Liverpool born colliery weighman Thomas Birch and his Liverpool born wife Elizabeth (nee McLeod). They married at St Michael's, Toxteth on the 13th Feb 1882, Thomas was a 21 year old clerk of Thornhill St, Elizabeth was 21 of Seiont Terrace. They had four sons and two daughters. Alfred was their fifth Child.

 

The 1901 Census finds Alfred, aged 8 resides still at 13 Victoria Rd Ashton in Makerfield with his parents and five siblings.
His father is a surface colliery weighman born in Liverpool in 1860, whilst his mother was also born in 1860 in Liverpool. His siblings are listed as; William, a coal miner hewer born in Liverpool in 1883, Thomas Richard, a colliery surface labourer born in Liverpool in 1886, John b.1888 at Liscard, Cheshire, Catherine born 1891 in Liverpool and his younger sister Elizabeth McLeod born in 1895 in Lancashire. Also listed are a visitor and a boarder.

 

On 21st March 1907 his elder brother Thomas Richard dies aged 21.

 

The April 1911 Census taken on 02nd April finds Alfred now aged aged 18 and a tobacco shop assistant at the family's new address at 88 Roseberry Street, Toxteth Park. His place of birth is shown as Bryn, Lancashire. Both parents are present in the household, his father, Thomas is now a cotton warehouse porter. His siblings still at home are listed as William now a railway clerk, John now a commercial clerk, Catherine now a book keeper's draper and Elizabeth McLeod a dressmaker.

 

Shortly after the Census his elder brother John (Jack) dies aged 23. He was buried at Toxteth Cemetery on 06th April 1911.

 

Further tragedy befell the family in April 1914 when his eldest brother William (Willie) dies aged 31.

 

Alfred Enlisted as Private 42949 joining the 11th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He is promoted to Lance Corporal and transferred to the 19th (Pals) Battalion of the K.L.R.  

 

Alfred was killed in action on 29 April 1918, aged 24, during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion diary entry for the day gives an insight into the events of the day.  

29 April 1918 

A 3 a.m. the Enemy opened up a very heavy bombardment of High Explosive and Gas shells on our covering Artillery and at 6 a.m.. launched a powerful attack , smothering our outpost line, but failing to pierce the Battalion front, being repulsed with heavy loss. At 8 a.m. the Enemy again attacked but was repulsed. Many Casualties were caused to him during the day, as numbers of the enemy were picked off as they endeavoured to get back to their own lines. 

Casualties were Capt E B Hough Killed, 2nd Lt W. Munro Killed and 12 Other Ranks Killed, 28 Wounded and 13 Other Ranks missing.

Alfred's body was never found and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. 

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

 

His Army Pay arrears of £13 :16s:2d was sent to his mother Elizabeth on 28th September 1918  at 5 Cedar Grove, Liverpool followed by a dependents pension award from 02nd October 1918. A War Gratuity of £8:10s was also sent to his mother on 05th December 1919. 

 

On the first anniversary of his death 29th April 1919 his parents and fiancée Florence (Florrie) Goodwin placed In Memoriam notices in the Liverpool Echo to Alfred:

BIRCH - In loving memory of Lce Corpl ALFRED BIRCH 19th KLR (Pals) who was killed in action April 29 1918 

You have left behind a broken heart,
A heart that loved sincere,
A heart that never will forget,
The boy I loved so dear,
However long my life shall last,
Whatever lands a view,
Whatever joy or grief be mine,
Till death I'll think of you

Sadly missed and deeply regretted by his sorrowing Fiancee Florrie and all at 19 Ash Grove, Wavertree.

BIRCH - In loving memory of our dear ALF Lce Corpl 19th Batt (Pals) killed in action April 29 1918, aged 25, also dear Tom who passed away March 21, 1907 aged 21 years, also dear Jack who passed away April 22, 1911 aged 23, also dear Willie who passed away at Herne Bay, April 22 1914 aged 31 years. (A life's sorrow and four beautiful memories left behind) - 5 Cedar Grove.   

 

 

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