South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 14 Sep 1915 in France | ~ | Catherine-de-Barnes Church |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of Messines | Oct 1908 in Birmingham | Solihull War Memorial |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Ypres | 100 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery | |
| 131st Heavy Battery, 46th Brigade RGA | ||
- Admitted to, and operated on at, 18th General Hospital at Camiers, France with Squint in left eye, at that time Birch was serving with 131st Heavy Battery
- 138th Heavy Battery were known as the Hampstead Heavies and Birch is listed in their Roll of Honour. A website dedicated to them can be found here.
Circumstances of Death
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Birch is listed as being killed in action on 10th June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. The 138th Battery war diary for the period 9th to 11th June is transcribed below a brief precis of the 138th at Messines. Unusually Birch is named in the diary and he was the only man killed during a three day hostile bombardment of the Battery position. Prior to the British attack at Messines, mines (which had been placed under the German front line) were exploded causing a spectacular pyrotechnic display and three huge craters in the top of Wytschaete Ridge. The Battery joined in the intense bombardment which followed the explosion, the guns firing continuously for most of the day. On 8 June, the Battery was heavily bombarded with gas shells and the following day E Sub Section gun was severely damaged by a direct hit and a large amount of ammunition destroyed. Orders to pull the five remaining guns out of this dangerous position were received on 10 June, the actual withdrawal being carried out with difficulty over the next two days. Severe shelling made it necessary to abandon three guns which were subsequently recovered under cover of darkness. Ypres 9.6.17: The battery was heavily shelled with 5.9’s practically continuously. Cpl Fitzpatrick of B Sub Section and Gnr Pritchard, the Battery Commanders assistant, being badly wounded. 8 Sub Sections gun was severely damaged by a direct hit and a large amount of ammunition and cartridges destroyed. Ypres 10.6.17: The shelling continued practically all of the 10th but no further damage was done. At night orders were received to pull the remaining guns out of action. Only C&D guns were able to be removed owing to the incessant shelling, A, B & F guns having to be left behind. During this period Gnr Stowe was killed by hostile shell fire. Considering the heavy shelling all that time it is remarkable, that except that, except for this casualty, all the men arrived at the Wagon line safe with the exceptions that a number of men were slightly gassed & three horses slightly wounded. Ypres 11.6.17: During the afternoon a party went to the Battery position & the 3 guns [left behind on the 10th] were put into position to bring out after dusk which was done safely. END |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 14 Jan 1888 in Elmdon Heath | 25 Mar 1888 in Solihull |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Abraham and Matilda Stowe | Stonehurst, Lugtrout Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1888 - Elmdon Heath, Solihull | 1901 - School age |
| 1891 - Elmdon Lane, Solihull | 1911 - Gunner in 100 Company RGA |
| 1901 - Elmdon Heath, Solihull | 1914 - Gunner in RGA |
| 1911 - Fort Tige, Tigné Point, Sliema, Malta | |
| 1914 - Lugtrout Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes | |
- Abraham was known by his middle name of Birch, including in the 1901 Census
- Click here for an article in the Daily Mirror written by relatives of Abraham who had visited his grave in Belgium
- Click here for an article about Birch on the Solihull Life website
- The picture of the Bronze Coin was taken on Remembrance Sunday 2024 at St. Catherines and was in possession of one of his descendents
