Main CPGW Record
Surname: BIRCH
Forename(s): Walter
Place of Birth: Barrowford, Lancashire
Service No: 36223
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Border Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 7th (Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1918-08-26
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VI. F. 36.
CWGC Cemetery: ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Walter Birch was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Birch, née Coulthard. Joseph was born at Embsay and Elizabeth at Malham (Moor), Yorkshire. Walter was the cousin of Rifleman Harry Birch (B/203502) (q.v.).
1901 Barrowford, Lancashire Census: 6, Back Peter Street - Walter Birch, aged 1 year, born Barrowford, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Birch.
1911 Bowland Forest Low, Yorkshire Census: Lees Cottage, Cow Ark [near Whitewell] - Walter Birch, aged 11 years, born Barrowford, Lancashire, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Birch.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Walter Birch, 26932, S. Lan R.; 36223, Bord. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Walter Birch, 26932, 13th South Lancs.; 36223, 4th Border Regt.; 7th Border Regt.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Walter Birch, 36223, 7 Bn Border. Date and Place of Death: 26.8.18 in Action France or Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Elizabeth. £13 7s. 11d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Walter. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Elizabeth Birch. Relationship: Mother. Deceased. Address: 28, Mizpah Street, Burnley. Dependant: Joseph Birch. Relationship: Father. Address: 63, Morse Street, Burnley, Lancs.
Walter is commemorated on the Barrowford War Memorial.
The 7th (Service) Bn Border Regiment absorbed the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry on the 22 September 1917 and became the 7th (Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry) Battalion.
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:
BIRCH, Walter, aged 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Birch, 28, Mizpah Street, Burnley, formerly of Skipton, killed Aug. 26, 1918.
BIRCH, Walter, Border Regiment, grandson of late Mr. Coulthard, Malham Tarn, killed in action Aug. 26, 1918.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Walter BIRCH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Border Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
---
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont
CWGC Headstone
Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont
CWGC Headstone - personal inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
27 September 1918
BIRCH - Killed in action, on August 20th, Private Walter Birch, Border Regiment, younger and dearly loved son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Birch, 20 Mizpah Street, Burnley, and grandson of the late Mr. Coulthard, Malham Tarn.
04 October 1918
Private Walter Birch - A Native of Skipton
Mr. and Mrs. Birch, of 28 Mizpah Street, Burnley, who are natives of the Skipton district, inform us that their younger son, Private Walter Birch, has been killed in action on August 26th. One of his pals says:- "Private Birch died a noble death. It is very hard to lose a pal like Walter was. I was with him when he died, and he did not suffer at all. I helped to bury him."
Captain Sanders, in regretting the young soldier's end, stated that he should miss him very much, as he was so cheery and bright. Although he had only known him for about two months, the officer says he had become very fond of Private Birch. "He was a brave boy, and very willing to do anything he was asked," added Captain Sanders, who deeply sympathised with the parents. Private Ayrton, who had been with Birch in training at Skipton, also informed Mr. and Mrs. Birch that their son suffered no pain, as he was unconscious when picked up.
Private Birch had been brought up to farming, but for a few months before enlistment had been working at Towneley Park. He was only 19 years of age, and was drafted to France on April 2nd without leave. The soldier attended St. Stephen's Church and School, and was on the roll of honour there. His brother, Gunner Thomas Coulthard Birch, of the R.F.A., has recently returned to France after a well-earned leave.
29 August 1919
BIRCH - In sad but loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Walter Birch, 7th Border Regiment, who fell in action August 26th, 1918, aged 19 years.
"Missed by those who loved him best."
From his sorrowing Father, Mother, Sister and Brother Tom (in Germany), 28 Mizpah Street, Fulledge, Burnley.
BIRCH - In affectionate remembrance of Private Walter Birch.,of the Border Regiment, who fell in action August 26th, 1918, aged 19 years.
"Ever remembered."
From all at Ackworth and Liverpool.
27 August 1920
BIRCH - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Walter Birch, 7th Border Regiment, who fell in action, August 26th, 1918, aged 19 years.
Far dearer to memory than words can tell,
Are the thoughts of him we loved so well.
From his sorrowing Father, Mother, Sister and Brother Tom, 28 Mizpah Street, Fulledge, Burnley.
BIRCH - In loving memory of Private Walter Birch, who was killed in action, August 26th, 1918.
From all at Ackworth.
26 August 1921
BIRCH - In sad but loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Walter Birch, 7th Border Regiment, who fell in action August 26th, 1918, aged 19 years.
"Loved and remembered."
From his sorrowing Father, Mother, Sister and Brother Tom, 28 Mizpah Street, Burnley.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
27 September 1918
BIRCH - Killed in action on Aug. 26th, Pte. Walter Birch, Border Regiment, younger and dearly loved son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Birch, 20, Mispah Street, Burnley, and grandson of the late Mr. Coulthard, Malham Tarn.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.