Samuel Bird a private in 6th Batallion Manchester Regiment

[Bird]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for any help in tracing my grandfather. All I know about him and the rest of our family is his name Samuel Bird and all that's known about him is his occupation as shown on my father's birth certificate. This states he was a private in 6th Batallion Manchester Regiment and then in brackets "Clerk in Printing Works". He married my grandmother in 1920, Annie Elizabeth Bird (nee Burman) but she died in 1988 after we believe re-marrying a John Henry Woolhouse. Samuel and Annie had three children, my father, Harry Bird, a daughter, Violet Bird and another son Charles Bird who unfortunately have all died.

If anyone can point me in any direction to follow, whether there is a means of tracing him through the army records, I would appreciate any help, assistance or guidance, please.

Thanks
Pete Bird E mail removed to stop spam please use the messaging service under the name on the left.

[tonyrod]

hi pete, welcome to the forum, to start you off,
 
The Sixth (Territorial) Battalion
1/6th Battalion Territorial Force

4th August 1914. No3 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester,
At the end of August as part of the Manchester Brigade. East Lancashire Division, The battalion moved into camp at Hollingworth Lake near Littleborough, Rochdale.
On the 10th September 1915 the battalion sailed from Southampton on the Caledonia for Egypt arriving Alexandria, 25th Sept.
On the 6th May 1915, landed at Gallipoli with the 5th Battalion at W and V beaches, 26th May 1915, formation became part of the 127th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancs) Division.
On the 8th/9th January 1916 the battalion was evacuated via Mudros to Egypt,
March 1917 to France.
On the 11th November 1918, as part of the 127th Brigade, 42nd Division was in France in the Hautmont area, S.W. of Maubeuge

link to the 42 division
http://www.1914-1918.net/42div.htm          enjoy tonyrod

[migky]

Hi & welcome Pete.
I could only see a medal card for 1 Samuel Bird Manchester regiment. So this may or may not be him?
Service number 30371. Pte
Victory & British medal no 15 star.
Sorry scrub that one as i just found he died 1917 so can't be your man

I see he originaly married in Ashton, do you have a date of birth for him or date of death?
What address do you have for your fathers birth?

Migky  

[migky]

Hi again, If you get Samuel Bird & Annie Elizabeth Burman's wedding certificate, it will tell you both there fathers names/occupation & where they were living at the time they married. I think i managed to find a little on Annie Burnman, shie was born 22 Nov 1895 Lincolnshire
To parents Fredeick & Sarah. I found the family in all the census. That is if i have the right family?

Click for Samuel & Annie's wedding certificate

Migky 

[Bird]

Hi and thanks to tonyrod and Migky for their replies. Very interesting the history of the regiment - I suppose before I contact anyone at the army records I need my grandfathers date of birth?

I have sent off for a copy of the marriage certificate between my grandparents. Thanks Migky, that is my grandmother you found and her parents. There are many Samuel Bird's listed on the census, but my problem is establishing which one is my grandfather. Hopefully if I find his parents it may lead to a matter of elimination?

As I said before, I have no details whatsoever regarding Samuel Bird and any other pointers anyone could give would be much appreciated.

Thanks again,
Pete

[Wendi]

Hi Pete and a Warm Welcome to our Forum 

If I read you right he married in 1920 and your grandfather was born a few years later?

In that case his records should be with the MOD and you do not need his birth certificate, but you will need a copy of his death certificate.

Can you guess when he left the Manch?

Wendi 

[Bird]

Hi Wendi
Thanks for your reply. My grandfather married my grandmother in 1920 and my father was born later in that year. That is basically all I know about my grandfather, I don't know when he was born, died, lived etc., but I know when they married and am awaiting a copy of their marriage certifciate.
I therefore do not know when he died, I presume he could in theory still be alive, but all I do know is what I put in my first post.
I have searched the army records and although there are a few Samuel Bird's, none appear to be listed as being in the 6th Batallion Manchester Regiment. There does not appear to be any information I can find regarding this regiment, so if anyone has any ideas where I might search further, anything would be appreciated.
Pete