Sapper
Robert Henry George Bird
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About Robert Henry George

  • Name
    Robert Henry George
  • Initials
    R H G
  • Surname
    Bird
  • Date of Birth
    6 October 1889
  • Birth town
    Wymondham, Norfolk
  • Resided town
    Wymondham, Norfolk
  • Commemorated
  • Nationality
    English
  • Place of death
    Havering, Essex
  • Date of death
    1975
  • Married
    yes
  • Occupation
    Carpenter

Service Information

  • Army

  • Service Number
    204177
  • Rank
    Sapper
  • Regiment
    Royal Engineers

Biography

Robert Henry George Bird was born in Wymondham, Norfolk on 6 October 1889 to parents Robert and Ellen (nee Thompson).  In 1891, Robert was living at Norwich Common, Wyndham with his father Robert (28),  a plate layer, Ellen (29) and his sister Rosa (2).  In 1911, Robert was boarding with the Lewis family in Great Bealings, Suffolk and was employed as a carpenter.

Robert was called up on 17 October 1916 at Bury St Edmunds and joined the Royal Engineers giving his address as Dennis Farm, Redgrave, Diss.  He was mobilised with the Royal Engineers No 3 Depot Company on 13 February 1917.  He passed through Peterborough East Station on 10 April 1917 and wrote in the visitors’ book “Many thanks for the kind appreciation by the young Ladies in the Soldiers Rest at Peterborough.”

He served in France from 9 September 1917 and transferred to the 14th Northumberland Fusiliers from 13 September.  He was wounded on 30 September 1917 and again on 25 March 1918, but we have no details, although on the second occasion he was repatriated to England.  He returned to France on 16 July 1918.  In June 1919, he was promoted to acting Lance Corporal with the 221st (AT) Company.  He was demobilised on 16 November 1919, giving his address as 49 Commercial Road, Ipswich, Suffolk.  He received a disability pension of eight shillings per week as he was suffering from tachycardia, which was attributed to his war service.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

Robert married Gertrude M Stearling in Billericay in 1924.  No children have been traced.  In 1939, they were living at 10 Myrtle Avenue, Brentwood, Essex and Robert was a joiner and wood machinist at a ‘mental hospital’.  Robert died in Havering, Essex in 1975.

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Campaign Medals

The Allied Victory Medal
The British War Medal, 1914-18

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