Main CPGW Record
Surname: BIRCH
Forename(s): Harry
Place of Birth: Cowling, Yorkshire
Service No: B/203502
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment / Corps / Service: Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own)
Battalion / Unit: 12th (Service) Battalion
Division: 20th (Light) Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1917-08-17
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 145 to 147.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Harry Birch was the son of Benjamin Mason and Elizabeth Ann Birch, née Seed. Benjamin was born at Embsay and Elizabeth at Bradford, Yorkshire. Harry was the cousin of Private Walter Birch (36223) (q.v.).
1901 Colne, Lancashire Census: 11, Greenwood Terrace - Harry Birch, aged 4 years, born Cowling, Yorkshire, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth A. Birch.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 4, Ermystead [sic] Street - Harry Birch, aged 15 years, born Skipton, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Ann Birch.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Harry Birch, B/203502, Rif. Brig.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Harry Birch, B/203502, 1st Bn Rif. Brig.; 12th Bn Rif. Brig.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Harry Birch, 203502, 12th Bn Rifle Bde. Date and Place of Death: Officially accepted as on 17.8.17. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Elizabeth A. £10 15s. 4d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Harry. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Elizabeth Ann Birch. Relationship: Mother. Address: 4, Ermysted Street, Skipton.
Harry was killed in action during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Battle of Langemarck, 1917, 16-18 August.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Rifleman Harry BIRCH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 20th (Light) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
07 September 1917
SKIPTON RIFLEMAN MISSING
Rifleman Harry Birch, King's Royal Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Birch, 4, Ermysted Street, Skipton, is reported missing.
In a letter to the parents an Army Chaplain says:- "There is, of course, some hope that 'missing' may mean that your son has been taken prisoner, or has been taken down to some dressing station without a report having reached his battalion. Still, I don't attempt to conceal that despite such possibilities, 'missing' very often means that a man has laid down his life. I have no doubt that the battalion will let you know if any news of him should come through."
The writer adds that he will be pleased to assist the parents in any further enquiries.
Rifleman Birch, who was 20 years of age, enlisted soon after the outbreak of war and had been in France for over two years. He was wounded last year in the thigh. He was formerly in the employ of Messrs. Rose, Hewitt and Co., Broughton Road Shed, Skipton.
Mr. and Mrs. Birch have three other sons at present serving - Private George Birch, with the Army Service Corps in France; Private Arthur Birch, with the Northumberland Fusiliers in England; Driver E. Birch, R.F.A., who is at present in hospital in England, having been wounded in the foot. Another brother, Pte. Birch, has also served with the West Ridings, but was discharged after being wounded in the back.
30 November 1917
SKIPTON BAPTISTS' MEMORIAL TO SOLDIERS
On Tuesday afternoon a three days' sale of work was commenced in the Baptist School, Otley Street, Skipton, in aid of the Soldiers' Memorial Extension Fund, by means of which it is intended to extend the premises in memory of the young men associated with the place who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the war. Seventy young men belonging to the church and school are at present serving with the Colours, of whom two, H. Maudsley (deacon and Sunday School superintendent) and H. Birch have been missing since May 3rd and August 17th respectively, while the following have given their lives in the great cause:- S. Bishop, J. McIntyre, J. Duckworth, G.A. Wilson, H. Greenwood, D. Collins, B. Peel (Sunday School secretary), H. Scott, A. Bruce, J. Metcalfe, A. Gill, W. Barraclough, E. Platt and W. Ireland...
29 March 1918
SKIPTON SOLDIER PRESUMED KILLED
Mr. and Mrs. Birch, of 1 Ermysted Street, Skipton, have received the sad news from the War Office that their son, Rifleman Harry Birch, King's Royal Rifles, is now officially presumed to have been killed on August 17th, since when he had been reported as missing. Rifleman Birch was the youngest of five brothers who are doing, or have done, their 'bit', the others being Private George Birch, in France with the Duke of Wellington's; Private Frank Birch, Duke of Wellington's, discharged owing to wounds; Private Arthur Birch, Northumberland Fusiliers; and Driver E. Birch, in hospital at Hampstead, after being wounded for the third time. A brother-in-law, Bandsman Foster Pickles, is also in France.
05 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
We reproduce a photograph of Rifleman Harry Birch, King's Royal Rifles, who, as we stated last week, is now presumed to have been killed on August 17th, since when he had been missing. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Birch, 4 Ermysted Street, Skipton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
07 September 1917
SKIPTON SOLDIER MISSING
Rifleman Harry Birch, of the Kings Royal Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Birch, of 4, Ermysted Street, Skipton, is reported as missing. In a letter to his parents an Army Chaplain writes. - "There is, of course, some hope that 'missing' means that your son has been taken prisoner or else been taken down to some dressing station without a report having reached his battalion, still I don't attempt to conceal that despite such possibilities, ' missing' very often means that he has laid down his life. I have no doubt that the battalion will let you know if any news of him should some through. Please write to me if you think I can do anything for you. Let us in any case put our trust in God." Rifleman Birch was wounded last year in the thigh. He is 20 years of age, and enlisted soon alter the outbreak of war, having been in France nearly two years. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Rose Hewitt and Co., Broughton Road Shed, Skipton. There are three other brothers at present serving, Pte. George Birch, of the Army Service Corps, who is at present in France, Private Arthur. Birch, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, stationed in England; and Driver E. Birch, of the Royal Field Artillery, who is in hospital in England, having been wounded in the foot. Another brother, Pte. Frank Birch, has also served with the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, but was discharged owing to a wound in his back.
28 March 1918
BIRCH - Reported missing since Aug. 17th, 1917, now presumed killed, Rifleman Harry Birch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Birch, of 4, Ermysted Street, Skipton.
28 March 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Rifleman H. Birch Presumed Killed
Official information has been received from the War Office that Rifleman Harry Birch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Birch, of 4, Ermysted Street, Skipton. who has been missing since August 17th last, is now presumed killed. There are another four brothers serving in the army, Pte. George Birch, of the Duke Wellington's West Riding Regiment, now in France; Pte. Frank Birch, of the West Riding Regiment, discharged owing to wounds; Pte. Arthur Birch, Northumberland Fusiliers, now stationed in Lincolnshire; and Driver Elvyn Birch, who is at present in hospital at Hampstead, he having been wounded for the third time. Mr. and Mrs. Birch have also a son-in-law, Bandsman Foster Pickles, serving in France.
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