Thanks to the Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh at Brecon and members of the Great War Forum website for updating and correcting my puny efforts.
George Owen Birch was born on the 28th May 1895 to George Thomas Birch and Helen Elizabeth Birch (Née Owen) of 221 Werrington Road, Bucknall, Stoke on Trent. His father, Rev G.T. Birch was the Rector of St Mary's Church Bucknall until 1934.
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| Rev George Thomas Birch |
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| George's Birth Certificate |
His son George was serving in the 3rd Battalion Welch Regiment (this was the Special Reserve Battalion consisting of non-regular members).
After the outbreak of war in August 1914, Lieut. Birch was attached to the 2nd Btn. with a re-inforcements draft of 91 NCO's & men on the 5th September 1914.
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| Telegram from the War Office notifying family 18th Sept 1914 |
While Lt Birch was still officially listed as missing, the following article appeared in a local Stoke on Trent newspaper.
(Thanks must go to "wulsten" of the Great War Forum [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/] for kindly supplying the newspaper article.)
A further eye witness account can be viewed here.
In St Mary's church there is a memorial plaque to his memory and the brief details inscribed have made me interested enough to research the story of what happened on the evening of September 14th 1914. I hope you will find his story inspiring though it is a sad story.
