Biography of Private John William Birch (12767)
7th Lincolnshire Regiment
Died 29th April 1917
- Name: John Willie Birch
Date of birth: 1889
Place of Birth: Little Bytham, Lincolnshire, England
Date of Birth Registration: January – March 1886
Place of Birth Registration: Bourne, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
- Name: Thomas Birch
- DOB: 1856
- Place of Birth: Sproxton, Leicestershire, England
- Occupation: Woodman (forester)
- Name: Mary Jane King
- DOB: 1861
- Place Of Birth: Little Bytham, Lincolnshire, England
- Marriage: 1885 Bourne District
- Sarah Elizabeth King, 1881, Little Bytham (Half sister)
Cicely Kate King, 1883, Little Bytham (Half sister)
Sarah Emily Birch, 1886, Little Bytham
Florence A Birch, 1888, Little Bytham
John Willie Birch, 1889, Little Bytham
Charlie Birch, 1891, Edenham
Lottie Birch, 1894, Edenahm
Ethel Birch, 1896, Lound
Hilda Birch, 1898, Lound
Ida Birch, 1899, Lound
- 1891: John is living with his parents in Edenham, Lincolnshire
- 1901: John is living with his parents in Lound, Lincolnshire
- 1911: John is living with his parents at Witham on the Hill, Lincolnshire. The census gives him an age of 22 and he is listed as a bricklayer labourer.
- None found
- Name: Lily Pinfold
- Date of birth: 1894
- Place of Birth: Gee Cross, Cheshire
Marriage
- Date of Marriage: between January and March 1917
- Place of Marriage: Leicester District
Children
- Charles W Birch, 23 January 1917, Leicester Distirct
- Father: Thomas Pinfold
- Mother: Martha Henson
- Grantham Journal Saturday 19th May 1917
MANTHORPE
THE VERY DISTRESSING NEWS has reached Mr and Mrs Birch to the effect that their eldest son, Signaller J W Birch has died of wounds in France. Information had been received stating he was seriously wounded by gunshot on April 24th and was in critical condition and later the sad news came of is death on April 29th. Signaller Birch enlisted in the Lincolnshire Regiment on Sept 14th 1914 and went abroad in July 1915, being slightly wounded in the hand some month ago. He was 28 years of age and leave a wife and one child. Deceased was a perfect type of Englishman of fine physique and a generous kind-hearted disposition and will be greatly missed. A memorial service was held in St Andrew’s Church, Witham on the Hill on Sunday. Signaller Birch was buried in a British Cemetery near the hospital where he died.Grantham Journal Saturday 27th April 1918
In loving memory of John William Birch (our Billie) who died of wounds after the Battle of Arras, April 29th 1917 aged 28 years.
“No loved one stood beside him
To hear his last farewell;
No wood of comfort could be have
From those he loved so well.
He has gone from us
We must go to him;
He will not return to us.”
Sadly missed by FATHER, MOTHER, WIFE, BROTHER and SISTERS (manthorpe, Bourne)Grantham Journal Saturday 3rd May 1919
BIRCH – In memory of John William Birch, Signaller, who died in the Battle of Arras, wounded April 24th, died April 29th 1917 aged 28 years.
“On the heart that cartel for thee
Rest thou, then, from sorrow free,
For of all moat tender brothers,
None so good as He.
He has gone from us;
We must go to him;
He will not return.”
From his loving WIFE, CHILD, FATHER, MOTHER, BTOTHERS and SISTERS (Manthorpe, Bourne).
Military Records
- None found
- These records show that Private William Birch, 12767, 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment was killed in action on 29th April 1917 in the Western European Theatre in France and Flanders.
Pension Records
- Available
Effects Left To
- Widow Lily
- The British Medal
The Victory Medal
The 15 Star
- UK:
- Witham on the Hill, Roll of Honour in St Andrew’s Church
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
- In memory of Private John William Birch, 12767, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 29 April 1917 Age 28
Husband of Lily Birch, of 32 Henry St, Leicester
Remembered with honour, Etaples Military Cemetery.

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials
- Enlisted in Grantham
- This is ongoing research and will be posted when completed
- WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - British Newspaper Archive.