Harold Edwin Bird

An Able Seaman with Hawke Battalion, Harold died on 9 October 1917, at the age of 27.

Harold was born at Clapham on 29 June 1889, a son of Edwin Charles and Emily Bird. In 1901 his family lived at 32 Crater (sic) Road, Brixton, London, and by 1911 they were living at 40 Montrose Avenue, West Kilburn. 

Before moving to Lowestoft Harold has resided at 11 Piccadilly, Manchester. 

Harold married Dorothy Annie Gooch at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 31 August 1915. Harold was living at 111 London Road and stated that his occupation was jeweller. Dorothy was living at 38 Seago Street. 

Harold joined the Army and enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment, at Lowestoft, on 20 March 1916. He served with the 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion and had service number 2619 (later numbered 265529).

On 14 June 1917 Harold was allowed to leave the Army in order to re-enlist in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to serve with the Royal Naval Division (see note on Harold's Army papers). Harold arrived in France on 4 July 1917 and joined the Hawke Battalion. 

On 9 October 1917 men from Hawke Battalion were assigned to Zoauve Dump to carry out work on roads in advanced areas. One man, Harold, was killed, and two other wounded.  

After Harold's death Dorothy moved to Norwich.