BIRCH, William George

Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, BelgiumCredit: CWGC

Private
15th Battalion
Hampshire Regiment

William was born 1883 in Newport to Walter & Ellen (nee OSBORNE) of 3 Elm Grove, Newport. In 1910 he married Frances CAVE at St Mary’s Church, Carisbrooke & they lived at 26 Portland Street in Newport.

In 1917 the Battalion fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road & took part in the Operations on the Flanders Coast.

On the 7th June 1917, William, aged 41, was reported Missing Presumed Killed in Action, & as his body was never recovered or identified. William is commemorated by the Commission on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to The Missing together with 54,574 of his First World War comrades.

William is also remembered on the County & Newport Borough War Memorials.

CWGC Casualty Record

Cemetary

Sons & Daughters Commemorated Far From Home

Those from the Newport & Carisbrooke area who are buried or commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission outside of the area, both in the UK and in other countries.

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The image is of the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery & Memorial in Belgium.