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E.V.D. Birchall DSO

Additional information and photographs

Photograph of grave of E V D Birchall DSO, Etaples Military Cemetery
Courtesy of Peter Lambert
(Click on the image on the left to view a larger version)

According to the Ox & Bucks Chronicle 1916-17, Edward Birchall was educated at Eton and Magdalen College Oxford. After leaving university he devoted his time to social work in Birmingham and London and subsequently joined the Board of Trade at Bristol. He had served as a territorial soldier in the Bucks Battalion for eight years before the war and was promoted Captain on 5 October 1913. He went to France with the 1/1st Bucks Battalion and served continuously until his death on 10 August 1916 - his 32nd birthday - of wounds received in action at Pozieres on 23 July.

The day before his death he was informed officially of his immediate award as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The citation in the London Gazette on 25 August read 
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. He led forward his company with great dash under heavy fire, entered the enemy's trenches, and, though dangerously wounded, refused any assistance till assured that he position won was firmly held". 
Unmarried, he lived with his sister in Gloucester. He left considerable sums to charities and amongst his bequests was "£2,000 to the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Territorial Association for the benefit of the wounded men of the 1st Bucks Battalion and for the widows and dependents of those killed in the war".

A local Gloucester newspaper (19 August 1916) carried a quotation from Birchall's Colonel: 
"I feel I must write and tell you how awfully sorry we all are that he has been so badly wounded after his perfectly magnificent leading of his Company on 23rd, which resulted in the capture of a strongly-held enemy trench and secured the position of other troops, who would otherwise have been isolated and probably had to retire with heavy loss. It is no surprise to us who have served with him for so long and know how he has never spared himself when his men have been concerned, and know that where dogged pluck and perseverance would tell he was sure to come through".

A friend of his, Capt Lionel Crouch, in a letter home, wrote about Edward Birchall's views on life, this can be seen on this website.

For a full account of the attack in which Edward Birchall died, see the war diary of the 1st Bucks Bn (PRO, WO 95/2763). 
Edward Birchall is also commemorated on the Memorial to Staff of the Ministry of Labour, now hanging in Caxton House, Tothill Street, London SW1.
According to Murphy's Register, he is listed in Sphere (Aug 1914-Dec 1919, ref 161028, page 76.  His brother, Major J D Birchall MP, is mentioned in the Board of Trade Journal as having attended the the unveiling of the Roll of Honour at the Board's headquarters on 19 December 1923.

Details from 1901 census, show that Edward was attending Eton age 16.

Details from 1891 Census:

Address:    Bowden Hall, Upton St Leonard, Gloucester

John D Birchall, Head, Age 62, Living on own means, Born Leeds,Yorkshire

Clara S Birchall, Daughter, Age 29, Born Harrogate

John D Birchall, Son, Age15, Born Bowden Hall

Arthur P D Birchall, Son, Age 14, Born Bowden Hall

Violet E D Birchall, Daughter, Age 12, Born Bowden Hall

Constance L D Birchall, Daughter, Age 11, Born Bowden Hall

Edward V D Birchall, Son, Age 6, Born Bowden Hall

Fanny G Hawkins, Ladies Maid/Domestic Servant, Age 41, Born Lewes, Sussex

Ellen Connor, Cook, Age 50, Born Leeds

Mary S Stephens,  Housemaid, Age 39, Born Longney Glos

Eugenie C Raymond, Ladies Maid, Age 25, Born Die Drome France

Elizabeth C Heylock, Under Housemaid, Age 19, Born Wicklow Ireland

Annie Brown, Kitchen Maid, Age 21, Born Long Newton Glos

Augusta Bernard, Under Nurse, Age 21, Born Liecester

William Craddock, Butler, Age 36, Born Cheltenham Glos

Harry Berry, Footman, Age 27, Upton St Leonard, Glos

Harold W Atkinson Visitor/Nephew, Age 22, Born Beckenham Kent

Clara E Armitage Visitor Age 24, Born Huddersfield