Albert Bird

Albert Bird had served in the 4th special reserve prior to enlisting as a regular soldier. He attested as a regular on 25 November 1899, aged 18 years and 4months. He was a collier prior to enlisting in the Derbyshire Regiment, with the number 6424 (redesignated in 1902 The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). He served with the battalion during its time in the Boer War, Singapore and India. In 1911 he re-engaged to complete 21 years service. On the outbreak of war the 1st battalion were still in India but the need for regular units was soon recognised and on 3 September 1914, they sailed for England. It took a month to complete the journey with the battalion arriving in Plymouth on 2 October. After reorganisation and refitting, the battalion sailed for the BEF on 4 November 1914. The battalion were engaged in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on the day Albert died and he was one of 97 men killed that day. A dense mass of German troops attacked on 12th and forced the Foresters back to their support trenches before the enemy advance was checked by battalion rifle fire, the bombing efforts of Private Rivers (VC) and counter attacks from the left and left-centre. The German attack began at 5 am and by 7.30 am, the British front line had been recaptured and reoccupied. It had been two and a half hours of intense hand to hand fighting and both sides suffered high losses. Albert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. John Morse

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