Pte 22015 Thomas Alfred Birch

• Age: 38
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

22015 Private Thomas Alfred BIRCH, 20^th Battalion, KLR.

Thomas was born 27th March 1878 in Back Field Street, Liverpool the son of William Birch and his wife Anne (nee Hollman) who were married on the 13^th July 1873 at St Peter's Church, Everton. William was a 22 years old miller of 23 China Street, father Thomas a tinman, whilst Anne was aged 24 of 21 China Street, father John, a mariner.

Thomas was baptised on the 26^th May 1878 in St Timothy's Church, Everton, parents address Back Field Street.  

Thomas enlisted in Liverpool on 14^th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22015. He was aged 34 years 235 days, giving his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his wife, Ellen, of 180b Walton Road. He was described as being 5'7", weight 127lbs, 37" chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was stated as Church of England.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. 

On 01^st July 1916, he was killed in action during the attack at Montauban. 

20^th Battalion Diary

Maricourt

Zero Hour 7.30am. After 65 minutes intensive bombardment the Battalion advanced to the attack of the German trenches. The Battalion advanced in four lines each of the two leading Companies on a frontage of 2 platoons – No’s 1 & 2 Companies (in that order from the right) leading. No.3 Company in the 3^rd wave. No.4 Company in the 4^th wave. There being a distance of about 100 yards between each line. The lines advanced through the enemy’s artillery fire as though on parade in quick time. The leading waves went on without a pause to Alt Trench and Casement Trench which were secured at (time not stated) am. The casualties up to this being small. Our barrage lifting Dublin Trench (the 1^st Objective) was captured and consolidation immediately proceeded with. Captain Whiting with the 3^rd wave entrenching about 150 yards in the rear. Captain Robinson was wounded and No.2 Company was commanded during the day by Lt C P Moore. Casualties up to now were killed 2 officers – 1 wounded and 49 other ranks casualties killed and wounded. At 11.50 am orders were received for the assault of the Briqueterie. The Battalion operation orders for this were issued from NW of Germans Wood. Our barrage lifted at 12,30 pm and No. 4 Company under Captain E C Orford assisted by a section of bombers under 2^nd Lt Baker who went up Nord Alley and Chimney Trench to secure his left flank, who had got right forward under cover of the fire of our guns rushed it almost without opposition. On the far side a party of the enemy were found in deep dug-outs. They brough a machine gun into action and some close fighting ensued in which Lt Gooch and Lt Williams were wounded. Opposition was however speedily overcome and the garrison consisting of the H.Q. of a Regt, one Colonel and 4 other officers – 40 rank and file , 2 machine guns together with maps, orders, documents and material fell into our hands. Steps were immediately taken for consolidating the ground won, which however owing to the destruction wrought by our “heavies” was a matter of great difficulty, what had been trenches being almost unrecognisable as such and the earth so pulverised that cover could only be made by aid of sandbags. The garrison was heavily shelled through the afternoon and most of the night and casualties were many. Battalion H.Q. were at the junction of Glatz Alley and Casement Trench north west of Germans Wood and this together with Dublin Trench received considerable attention from enemy guns. Casualties during the day 2 officers killed (2^nd Lts F Barnes and JC Laughlin) and 3 wounded (Captain H H Robinson, Lt S Gooch and 2^nd Lt F J Williams). 75 other ranks killed and wounded.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

His soldiers effects and medals were sent to his widow who was awarded a pension of 21/- per week for herself and their two children William and Richard. No pension was awarded for Thomas as he was over age at the time of his fathers death. Personal items returned to Ellen were:- a pencil, prayer book, knife, testament, and 1 photo. 

Thomas is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 14 Left

Central Hall, (Methodist Mission) Renshaw Street, Liverpool.

His father died in the June quarter of 1926, aged 75.

His mother died in the March quarter of 1929. 

On the 1939 Register, his widow, Ellen, dob 31st March 1875, is living alone, still at 180B Walton Road, where she is a bookbinder and folder. She died aged 69 in 1944. 

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