Henry George Bird

A Private with 1/8th Bn., Henry died on 5th of May 1915 at the age of 24. 

Henry was born at Kirkley on 24 October 1890, a son of Edward William and Anna Elizabeth Bird. He was baptised at All Saints and Saint Margaret's Church, Pakefield, on 11 January 1891. In 1891 his family lived at 18 Wilson Road, Kirkley, and by 1901 they were living at 2 Wilson Road East, Kirkley. 

Henry attended Kirkley School from 1 September 1895. 

In 1911 Henry's family were living at Glenmore, 22 The Avenue, South Lowestoft, and Henry was an Assistant Teacher. Henry worked at Roman Hill School. 

When the First World War began Henry was studying at Saint Peter's College, Saltley, Birmingham, a teacher-training college. He immediately volunteered to serve as stretcher-bearer and he joined the Saltley College Company of the 1/8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.  

Henry's battalion landed at Le Havre on 23 March 1915. In late April 1915 the Battalion was in trenches at Steenbeck, Belgium.

Henry developed pneumonia and was taken to the 'sick-station' at 3 Field Ambulance, Romarin. His pneumonia became acute and he died from heart-failure brought on by the illness.