Additional information and photographs
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Photograph of grave of E V D Birchall DSO,
Etaples
Military Cemetery
Courtesy of Peter Lambert
(Click on the image 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".
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.
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