Pte 21843 Harold Lee Birch

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 24th April 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.G.5

Harold Lee Birch was born in 1889 in Liverpool, the eldest child of Thomas Birch and his wife Sarah Ann (nee Lee) who were both born in Liverpool. They were to have two more daughters - Jessie born 1893 and Dorothy, born 1900.

In the 1891 Census, Thomas, a 28 year old plumber, and Sarah Ann, with their 12 month old son, Harold, lived at 23 Grasmere Street, Everton. 

In the 1901 Census the family lived at 48 Thirlmere Road, Everton. His parents are both present in the household. Harold L. is 11, Jessie L. is 8 and Dorothy is three months old. 

Harold was educated at St Saviour's school in Everton and went on to the Collegiate School at Shaw Street also in Everton. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 164 Granton Road, Anfield. His father is now 48 years of age and still employed as a plumber, his mother is 47. They advised that they have been married for 22 years and have had three children. Harold is a 21 years old shipping clerk, Jessie is 18 and Dorothy 10. 

Prior to the outbreak of the war he had been employed by Cunard. He was a well known amateur footballer playing for several seasons with Clovelly and while with Cunard he was a member of Caronia Football Club.

On 19^th December 1914 at Liverpool, Harold enlisted, joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21843. He gave his age as 24 years 11 months, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin being his father, Thomas, of 164 Granton Road, Everton.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

In March 1915 at Knowsley Park he was given a punishemnt of 1 day  being confined to barracks for being absent without leave.

On 7^th November 1915 he arrived in France with the BEF.

On 02^nd March 1916 was “sick in the field” and brought to 98^th Field Ambulance, from where on 06^th March he was admitted to 3 Field Ambulance suffering from “trench foot”.  He returned to his unit on 09^th March 1916.

Harold was killed in action on 24^th April 1916 aged 26 when he was struck in the neck by a bullet from a machine gun, his death reported as almost instantaneous. 

Reverend F. Tuke, attached to 53^rd Infantry Battalion, reported that he had been buried in Mariecourt Cemetery on the same day.

On 19^th May 1916, a letter was received at Infantry records from a Miss N. Purden, 1 Elton Terrace, St Paul’s Avenue, Hyson Green, Northampton, asking for the address of Harold’s parents, referring to him as “Pte. H. L. Birch, 19^th KLR, 89^th Infantry Brigade, 30^th Division”. The reply sent to her advised her to address a letter to next of kin, c/o Officer i/c Records, Preston and this “will be forwarded to the last known address of the person you wish to contact”. Perhaps she was a girlfriend?

Harold earned all 3 medals - his 1915 Star being sent to his father in 1920 and his other 2 medals to his mother in 1921.

He now rests in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery, Grave II G 5, his body having been moved from Mariecourt Cemetery after the Armistice.

Harold’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 5th May 1916 

ONE OF THE PALS –

The death is officially recorded of Private Harold Lee Birch of the “Pals” who was killed on April 24 by a bullet from a German machine gun.  He was twenty six years of age and went to the front with the first draft.  He was educated at St Saviours, Everton and Liverpool Collegiate school, Shaw Street and his parents reside at 164 Granton Road, Everton.  Private Birch was a well-known amateur footballer and played for Clovelly for several seasons.  Previous to joining the “Pals” he was a steward with the Cunard Company.  The Captain of the deceased’s battalion writes to Mrs Birch the mother – “We all feel very real sorrow for the death of your son.  We were just setting out for the nights work when a German machine gun was turned on one of our parties, one of the bullets striking you son in the neck.  He suffered no pain, passing away peacefully in a few minutes without regaining consciousness.  We laid him to rest in the village cemetery, the whole of his platoon attending the ceremony.  He was one of the very best in every way, a keen soldier, a willing worker and a cheerful companion.  Everyone feels his death as a personal loss.

I wish you could read some of the letters his fellows have written about your son and could hear all they have to say of him. He was one of the very best in every way, a keen soldier, a willing worker, and a cheerful companion, and one of the most popular and highest esteemed men in his platoon; and there is not one of’ us who does not feel- his death as a personal loss. Letters of condolence from members of this gallant soldier's section and platoon have also been received by his parents, the signatories to one of them stating: "We laid him to rest in a quiet and pretty little cemetery not far away, and paid our last tribute to our old chum, who did his duty bravely and died nobly for his King and country's honour." 

Harold is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Collegiate School, Liverpool

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall Panels 12 Right and 14 Left.

We currently have no further information on Harold Lee Birch, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.