Captain Basil William Bird

Army Number: n/a

Battalion: 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Awards: Military Cross and Bar, Mentioned in Despatches, Croix de Guerre (France).

Son of William and Barbara Lucy Bird, of Dale Villas, Shirebrook, Mansfield. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant 13th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment, 23rd July 1915. He was posted to the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment and went to France 15th June 1916. He was adjutant in Italy from November 1917. and was promoted Captain 20th August 1918.  He suffered severe wounds, 25th October 1918 and died, 24th November 1918, aged 22. in hospital in Rouen, France. 

He was awarded the Military Cross. London Gazette 15th October 1918 “For conspicuous gallantry and initiative at St. Sisto Ridge, Asiago, Italy on 15th June 1918. He was of the greatest assistance to his commanding officer after battalion headquarters had been temporarily abandoned, when he organised and led a counter-attack. He showed marked ability in bringing forward troops on the left of the counter-attack and generally displayed great resource under very trying conditions.”

Bar to Military Cross.

London Gazette 8th March 1919 ” During the advance from Le Catelet to Le Cateau, from the 5th to the 10th October 1918, inclusive, he showed great courage and ability. During the attack on Guisencourt Farm, when the right flank of the battalion came under heavy fire and was in danger of being turned, he collected a party of men of various units and established a strong post on the flank, thus greatly assisting the re-establishment of the line. Throughout the operations, his work was excellent.”

Buried : St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Plot S. V. Row I. Grave 3.

Captain Basil William Bird is also commemorated on the following local memorials:-
Brunt’s School War Memorial, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Nottingham University OTC War Memorial, Nottingham.
Victoria Embankment War Memorial, Nottingham.