Lance Corporal Thomas Frank Birch

 

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Thomas Frank Birch was born on 18^th September 1895 in Dorking, Surrey to railway porter Thomas and Laura Florence (nee Reed).

Thomas’s father Thomas was born about 1867 in Hockliffe, Bedfordshire to labourer Jabez, born about 1840 in Battlesden, Bedfordshire and Elizabeth born about 1834 in London. At the time of the 1881 Census, Thomas was working as a farm servant. Thomas’s mother Laura Florence Reed was born in the 1^st quarter of 1869 in Croydon, to bricklayer James, born about 1827 in St Mary’s, Devon, and Elizabeth, born about 1837 in Yockleton, Shropshire. Thomas and Laura married in the 4^th quarter of 1892 in Croydon.

Thomas had six siblings: Edith F. born about 1891 in Croydon; Bertha A. born about 1894 in Dorking and Harry Walter born about 1899 in Capel. Laura Mary born about 1901, Albert born about 1901 and Ernest Edward born about 1909, all in Holmwood.

On 10^th October 1898 Thomas was admitted into the South Holmwood Church of England School. At the time of his admission the family lived at Warwick Road, Holmwood. Thomas left the school on 15^th  September 1909.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Church Terrace, Holmwood. Thomas snr was working as a railway porter and Laura was at home. The household further comprised of their children: Edith, Bertha, Thomas, Harry, Laura and Albert.

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were still living at 2 Church Terrace. Thomas was still working as a railway porter and Laura was at home. The household further comprised of their children: gardener Thomas, Harry, Laura and Ernest along with Mr Birch’s father, railway porter, Jabez Birch. Laura stated that she had given birth to seven children of whom six were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.

Thomas Birch attested on 14^th September 1914 in Canterbury into the 3^rd Line Depot of the Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s Regiment). He was a Private with regimental umber 2001.

Later he was transferred into the 10^th Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. His new regimental number was G/207915.

Thomas Birch served from 14^th September 1914 to 23^rd July 1916 on the home front; as the part of the B.E.F. from 24^th July 1916 to 29^th August 1918 in Bavlecourt, France, he was on leave from overseas from 30^th August 1918 to 12^th September 1918 and from 13^th of September 1918 he was again part of the B.E.F.

On 9^th February 1918 he was admitted with pyrexia of unknown origin (trench fever) into the 139^th Field Ambulance. On 22^nd February 1918 he was transferred into the 138 Field Ambulance and on 25^th February 1918 into the 39^th Casualty Clearing Station.

The 1920 Surrey, England, Electoral Register reads that Thomas and his parents lived at 2 Church Terrace, Holmwood.

Thomas Birch died on 21^st April 1920 in Southwark, London. At the time of his death he was part of the 4^th Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Lance Corporal.

He is buried at Holmwood (St Mary Magdalene’s) Churchyard at its north end.

He received the British War and Victory medals.

In 1967 Thomas Frank’s mother Laura Florence Birch celebrated her 100^th birthday. The 1967 newspaper reads that she lived next door to the Duke’s Head at Beare Green. “Until six years ago she had lived at South Holmwood for 65 years. Her late husband was a signalman on the railway and they had seven children, three of whom survive. Mrs Birch says one of the reasons she has lived so long is because she drinks two Guinnesses a day and she has received a congratulatory letter from the firm together with fortnight supply of Guinness and the gift of a barometer. Mrs Birch is a very sprightly centenarian, studies the papers keenly each day, especially the sports page. Football, boxing and horse racing are her main interests and her favourite jockey is Sandy Barclay. She played bingo and attended whist drives until 6 years ago.” © ancestry.co.uk

Mrs Birch died shortly after her birthday and was buried on the 7^th of March 1969 at Holmwood (St Mary Magdalene’s) Churchyard. At the time of her death she still lived in Beare Green.

Born		Dorking, Surrey
Lived		Holmwood, Surrey
Son of		Thomas and Laura Florence (nee Read) Birch
Regiment		4th Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment
Number		207915
Date of Death		21st April 1920
Place of Death		Southwark, London
Cause of Death		Trench Fever
Age		24
Cemetery		St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard, South Holmwood