BIRCH Eric Wykeham Lieut

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Surname: BIRCH;

Forename(s): Eric Wykeham;

Initials: EW;

Rank: Lieut;

Born in: Bedfont;

Resided in: Rastrick;

Previous Battalion: 2/4 of;

Previous Regiment: W Riding Regt;

Date of transfer to MGC: 27-Mar-1916;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 6 Coy;

How killed: DOW;

Where: France;

When killed: 17-Jan-1917;

Awarded: MC;

Gallantry Notes: MC: For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded, he took charge of some men near him and led them to their first objective. Later, with an orderly, he captured ninety prisoners.;

Other Data: Roll of Honour (de Ruvigny) Vol 2, p24.: Lieut 2/4 (TA)Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt) att MGC, 3rd and youngest son of John Grant Birch, Iron Merchant, by his wife, Annie Isabella (now wife of Arthur Travis Clay), of Waxholme,Filey, Yorks, daughter of John Turnbull. Born Bedfont Lodge, Middx, 18/5/1892, educated privately, at Rugby and Wye Agricultural College, Kent where he had just completed his traing when war broke out. Obt commsn as 2Lt 4th W Riding Regt 8th Oct 1914 and att MGC, served with BEF in France and Flanders from 26th June 1916 and died at No.3 Canadian Stationery Hosp. Doullens, 16/1/1917,of wounds received in action the previous day. Buried in the Communal Cemetery there. The Chaplain at the hospital wrote: "Lt Birch was brought here from the line on Monday with a dreadful wound in his head. The shrapnel had penetrated from the side to the back of his skull. It was clear from the first that there was little or no chance, but our expert Surgeon, Capt Lamb, a most competant man, threw himself into the work of helping him and was twice attended to by him, besides being carefully watched". He was awarded the Military Cross (LG 13/2/1917) "for conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded, he took charge of some men near him, and led them to their first objective. Later, with an orderly, he captured 90 prisoners". Unmarried. PORTRAIT

Memorials of Rugbeians, Vol IV Photo)
Estate £4636/16/2d - grantee Annie Isabella Clay, natural mother and NOK

Joined 6 Coy 2/7/1916 - war diary;

Other Notes: BIRCH, Lieutenant, ERIC WYKEHAM, MC, 4th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.) attd. Machine Gun Corps. Died of wounds 17th January 1917. Age 24. Son of Annie Isabella Birch (now Clay), of Bedfont Lodge, Bedfont, Middx, and the late John Grant Birch. II. A. 12. Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1 - Somme, France.
MC: LG 13/2/1917;

Related National Archives files: WO374/6495:;

END OF RECORD.

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