BIRD Rex William 2/Lt

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Surname: BIRD;

Forename(s): Rex William;

Initials: RW;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Born in: Midsomer Norton;

Enlistment Date: 12-Sep-1914;

Resided in: Midsomer Norton;

Previous Number: 14855;

Previous Battalion: 12 of;

Previous Regiment: Glos Regt;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 7 Coy;

Date abroad: 25-May-1915;

Theatre of War: 1;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 24-Aug-1916;

Other Data: Brother of Capt Eric L Bird 4 Glos R/MGC - author of "Machine Gunner on the Somme" (edited by Sue Sturley)
disch to Commsn 3/1/1915 - Wilts Regt
See: History of 25 Div - p 114
death noted in war diary - killed by shrapnel whilst organising the defence of captured trenches with the greatest ability and bravery.After reconnoitring the position he found that the two gun teams detailed had been put out of action by shellfire. He brought up another team and gun and found a team to man a German maxim and one of the guns first put out of action. He made several journeys to the captured position under heavy barrage and himself carried up a gun and ammunition. He was assisted by Sgt Taylor, who survived from the two teams put out of action
address: 10 Elton Rd,Tyndalls Park, Bristol
born 22/3/1893

Reginald was one of six children of William Frederick (an
architect and surveyor) and Florence Emily Bird (nee
Stratup) of Midsomer Norton, Somerset.
Educated at Wycliffe School, he excelled both
academically and as a sportsman. He was Head of School in
his last year and also passed the Junior and Senior Cambridge examinations with honours and
many distinctions. He was first in England in each examination in different subjects. Leaving
school, he entered his father's office and showed promise of becoming an architect of
exceptional ability. In his leisure time he helped to start a scout troop for local boys.
Just after the start of the war he enlisted as a private in the 12th Gloucester and, in the
autumn, he was commissioned in the 1st Wiltshires. He went to France in May 1915. He wrote
the following after returning from five days' leave: The country itself had altered since I saw it last.
The village was absolutely razed to the ground, except for the remains of two walls in the chateau. A
few piles of bricks were the only evidence that it had existed, it was with difficulty that I traced our
old trenches. The long grass which had grown up between our trenches in old time had been completely
swept away, and in the Hun line the ground had been everywhere disturbed by shells, in many parts
literally pulverised for a depth of several feet, and remained a place of strange confusion. He was
slightly wounded during fighting around Ypres in September, but was back in the firing line
after a few weeks.
A comrade wrote that: just after he had his lunch he was so very quiet I asked him if he was
not well... He said, 7 am quite well, Chalk, but there is something. I do not know what it is.' How he
worked that terrible day! If any man ever earned the V.C., he did! At ten minutes past midnight he
had just wished me good-night and told me to get some sleep, when a shrapnel shell came over and a
piece struck him in the right temple. He was buried in the old German trench, formerly known as the
Leipzig Salient, half a mile south ofThiepval village, lhs former C.O * in the 1st Wilts, and many
othersA lie close beside him., .none can ask for finer company in death.
(From: Missing but not forgotten - P & K Linge);

Other Notes: BIRD, Lieutenant, REX WILLIAM, 1st Bn. Wiltshire Regiment attd. 7th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 24th August 1916. Age 23. Son of William Frederick and Florence Emily Bird, of Midsomer Norton, Somerset. Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C Thiepval Memorial - Somme, France.;

Is photo available? Yes, see VMGCRA Patreon

Related National Archives files: WO339/32062;

END OF RECORD.

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