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1883 - 13/04/1917

Place of birth: Bromley, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: 92 Beckenham Lane

Military information

Regiment/Service: Royal Sussex Regiment
Battalion/Ship: 9th Bn
Rank: Corporal
Number: GS/540
Awards: Distinguished Conduct Medal

Family information

Parents: James & Sarah Lydia Bird (nee Early)
Parents' occupation: Coach smith
Siblings: Emily Sarah, James William (d),Walter (d), Eliza Harriett, Arthur Douglas
Wife: Maria Tubb
Marriage date: 25-01-1914
Children: John William, Leslie Albert (died), Dorothy May Lydia

Census information

1891
Address: 62 Lincoln Street, Brighton
1901
Address: Royal Sussex Reg Chichester

Extra details

William was the fourth of James and Sarah Lydia Bird's six children. William was baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church on 4th February 1883, by 1891 the family had moved to Brighton.

William enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment on 21st November 1900. He said he was 18yrs 11mths but would have been a year younger. He weighed 123lbs, was 5ft 5½ins tall, had brown hair and eyes, and a fresh complexion. He was posted to South Africa on 26th August 1901 and then to India on 17th October 1902. William returned home on 23rd October 1908 and was put on reserve on 20th November 1908. He was discharged four years later having completed his 12 years service. He was awarded the Queen's Medal with five clasps for his service in South Africa.

On returning to civilian life William took a position as a postman with Bromley Post Office. On 25th January 1914 he married Maria Tubb at Bromley Congregational Church. They had three children but Leslie died when he was only 13 months old.

At the outbreak of war William re-enlisted with his old regiment, now he was 5ft 8¼ins and weighed 149lbs. He deserted on 22nd February 1915 but returned on 8th April 1915. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 17th April 1916 and promoted to Corporal on 28th June 1916.

On two occasions he was instrumental in digging out, under heavy fire, comrades who had been buried by earth and debris. On 13th May 1916 William and five others were buried by a heavy shell which burst near them. William managed to get out uninjured and immediately helped to dig out the others, three had died and the other two were seriously wounded. Two days later a similar incident occurred and again William helped in the rescue. For these acts of bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Early in the morning of 13th April 1917, through a heavy snow storm, William's battalion made a successful attack over difficult ground. William was killed by machine gun fire as he went over the top.