Pte 1821 Thomas Birch

[Tim Bell]

Mack's earlier post http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=9627.msg64442#msg64442
"pte 1821 Thomas birch.28 grange st,Oldham
he was diagnosed with TB in september 1914 in egypt,which he nearly died from,after convalesence he was sent to malta on 4th june 1915,then sent home to england on 23rd june and admitted to the 3rd london general hospital on 1st july,he was discharged as medically unfit for further service on 19th october 1916.  TB was caused by exposure on Active Service. Pension for TB until death.
died 30-3-17.
buried in lees cemetery,oldham on 5th april 1917.section 2B.grave 67
age 26
occupation.grinder at platt bros
married annie dickinson at all saints church,oldham 6-3-16

mack"

The Pension Card says Thomas died from disease, but no cause specified. May order DC after the current crop come in.
Annie Birch received a Pension Guardian for their son.

[mack]

Pte 1821 Thomas Birch – 1/10th Bn
Thomas Birch had been a grinder labourer for Platt Brothers when he enlisted in 10th (Oldham) Bn on 12 March 1914.  He had previously served for 3 months with the Regiment in 1912.  Thomas Embodied for overseas service on 05/08/1914 and embarked for Egypt with the Battalion on 10/09/1914.  Thomas was posted to Malta on 04/06/1915 and evacuated home, arriving on 23/06/1915. He was treated for TB at the London General Hospital, Wandsworth from 01/07/1915 to 30/09/1915.
Thomas received a pension for pulmonary TB originating in Egypt and caused by exposure on active service. The pension was later extended for total incapacity for the period to 19/05/1917.
Thomas Birch died of disease on 30/03/1917, aged 26.  The husband of Annie Birch of 65 Wrigley Street, Oldham.  The couple had married after discharge, so Annie wasn't entitled to a Widow's pension.   She died receive a pension allowance as guardian for the couple's son, Harold, born when Thomas was in Egypt on 17/11/1914.  Thomas was buried at Lees Cemetery on 03/04/1917 in Plot 2B.67, alongside members of Annie's family members.
Star
Pair
SWB
Effects
1911?
1901?
Baptism?

[Tim Bell]

Thomas Birch died from TB of lungs at 28 Grange Street, Oldham. Reported by his widow, Annie.  Ex Private 10th Manchester Regiment (Ironworks Labourer).

[Tim Bell]

Thomas Birch's commemoration in the UKBOR was accepted today.  In due course his burial at Lees Cemetery should be accepted as a War Grave.  I don't know if there is a private memorial on the plot.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/75469803/thomas-birch/

[Tim Bell]

Thomas Birch's burial has been accepted at Lees.  We have been communicating with his grandaughter, who will have an opportunity to choose an inscription for his new CWGC headstone.  Work appears to have started on the installation.