Died 19th April 1917

Aged 20 years

Commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial
Panel 40

Higham Ferrers Soldier - Missing Since the Battle of Gaza
Formerly of the Rushden Rifle Band

His brother Herbert

Both lads were formerly members of the Rushden Rifle Band, as also was their father.

Higham Ferrers Soldier’s Fate - Private H Reginald Bird
Many Conflicting Reports – Parents’ Anxiety
In our issue on May 11th, we reported the news that 200302 Pte H R Bird, of the Northants Regiment, second son of Mr and Mrs H Bird, of 17 Westfields, Higham Ferrers, had been missing from his unit since the Battle of Gaza on April 19th. Since then Mr and Mrs Bird have received many conflicting reports concerning their son’s fate, and they are consequently still in much anxiety of mind concerning him.

In a letter dated May 7th, the missing soldier’s officer, Second Lieut (Acting Captain) Miller, wrote that Pte Bird was killed as his identity disc had been handed in, but the War Office subsequently stated that there was no evidence that Pte Bird had met his fate, Lieut Miller having been misinformed. This was borne out by a subsequent letter, dated July 6th, from Lieut. Miller, who then wrote that Pte Bird’s identity disc had not been handed in.

Further unofficial information came to hand yesterday morning, together with another official communication from the War Office reporting the soldier as being wounded and missing.

The unofficial information comes from Pte W F Bradshaw, through the influence of Corpl J Tate. Corpl Tate writes under date August 21st:-

Dear Mr Bird, Just a few more lines to let you know that I have seen the man I mentioned in my last letter, and I have asked him to write an account of how he left Reg, and which I enclose. It appears that he was alive three days after the battle, so that his wound was not fatal, and, after all, you may still hear better news of him shortly. If I get to know anything I will let you know. You will see by this lad’s account that although we are only in Egypt and not in France, we are not holiday making, as some of our papers seem to think.”

Pte Bradshaw’s letter, written under date August 20th, is as follows:- “I am writing to give you news of your son, which I regret to say is not of the best of news. Your son was badly wounded in the foot when I found him. Being seriously wounded myself, we were unable to get back to our lines, having lost our way.

We were left on our own and after being together five days, I set out for assistance at the suggestion of your son and another wounded man who was with us, so I provided them with plenty of water and instruction where they could get more, and left them. Your son, who was quite cheerful in spite of the pain he was enduring, together with the other wounded man—Pte H S Sargent—wished me the best of luck on my way to get assistance. That was the night of April 23rd, but, unfortunately, I was unable to get back to our lines until April 25th, when I was picked up in the early hours of the morning in an exhausted condition. I explained to the officer in charge, who said he would send out a search party and bearers after I had explained to him that your son and Pte Sargent were lying in a serious condition. When returning from hospital, I learnt with regret and surprise that your son and his companion had not been found. Believe me, I am sincerely sorry I could not help them both more than I did. No man could have been more cheerful than your son in such a condition. He was such a favourite with all the boys, especially in —Company, to which we all three, your son, Pte Sargent, and myself, belonged. Expressing my deepest sympathy should the worst have happened, believe me,

Yours sincerely, Pte W E Bradshaw.