Pte
Christopher Smith Birch
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1885 |
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Place of birth: Upperthong, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Baker & Confectioner |
Army information
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Country: Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 29045 |
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Enlistment date: 08/12/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Holmfirth, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), 10th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 18/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Jetty Warren, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XLV Row: H Grave: 13 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
Christopher Smith Birch, a former baker and confectioner, was born in the year of 1885 in Upperthong, West Yorkshire in England, The United Kingdom. He was the son of Walter Smith and Eleanor Birch and had 2 siblings named Tom Dawson and Mary Kenyon Birch.
Chirstopher engaged on the 8th of December 1915 in his hometown of Holmfirth. He would later serve as a private in the 10th battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), part of the 69th brigade, of the 23rd division.
In October 1917, the 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), part of the 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division, was actively engaged in operations during the final phases of the Third Battle of Ypres.
The month began with movement and reorganization. On October 1st, the battalion—excluding D Company and one platoon of B Company—relocated to Ridgewood Camp. That same day, D Company and the B Company platoon were involved in repelling a significant German counterattack after the left flank of an adjacent unit collapsed. Their timely intervention helped stabilize the line under considerable pressure.
By October 2nd, the battalion regrouped in the Berthen Area, where they conducted reorganization and training over the following days. While D Company remained in Berthen, the remainder of the battalion was attached to Canadian railway troops, constructing a light railway under the command of II ANZAC Corps—essential work supporting logistics during the ongoing offensive.
Reassembled at Brewery Camp by mid-October, the battalion moved into the front line on the night of October 16th–17th, relieving the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Headquarters were established at The Butte, a key terrain feature near Zillebeke. A and B Companies took positions in the forward trench system, while C and D Companies occupied the support line.
The night of October 17th to 18th was marked by intensified enemy activity. During this period, B Company successfully repelled a German raiding party attempting to penetrate the line. The attack, likely intended to probe British positions or exploit weak points, was met with disciplined rifle and Lewis gun fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw. This action occurred under challenging conditions—heavy mud, intermittent shellfire, and poor visibility were constant burdens for those in the line.
Following these engagements, the battalion held their positions until the night of October 19th–20th, when they were relieved by the 12th DLI and withdrew to reserve positions. Over the next few days, the unit marched through a series of rear camps, arriving at Zudausques on October 22nd. The remainder of the month was spent in training and refitting. On October 31st, the battalion participated in a formal inspection alongside the rest of the 69th Brigade, reviewed by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.
Private Birch, aged 32, was Killed In Action on the 18th of October 1917. He was initially buried near Jetty Warren near Beselare at 28.J.11.c.40.80. His remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XLV, Row H, Grave 13.
Chirstopher engaged on the 8th of December 1915 in his hometown of Holmfirth. He would later serve as a private in the 10th battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), part of the 69th brigade, of the 23rd division.
In October 1917, the 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), part of the 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division, was actively engaged in operations during the final phases of the Third Battle of Ypres.
The month began with movement and reorganization. On October 1st, the battalion—excluding D Company and one platoon of B Company—relocated to Ridgewood Camp. That same day, D Company and the B Company platoon were involved in repelling a significant German counterattack after the left flank of an adjacent unit collapsed. Their timely intervention helped stabilize the line under considerable pressure.
By October 2nd, the battalion regrouped in the Berthen Area, where they conducted reorganization and training over the following days. While D Company remained in Berthen, the remainder of the battalion was attached to Canadian railway troops, constructing a light railway under the command of II ANZAC Corps—essential work supporting logistics during the ongoing offensive.
Reassembled at Brewery Camp by mid-October, the battalion moved into the front line on the night of October 16th–17th, relieving the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Headquarters were established at The Butte, a key terrain feature near Zillebeke. A and B Companies took positions in the forward trench system, while C and D Companies occupied the support line.
The night of October 17th to 18th was marked by intensified enemy activity. During this period, B Company successfully repelled a German raiding party attempting to penetrate the line. The attack, likely intended to probe British positions or exploit weak points, was met with disciplined rifle and Lewis gun fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw. This action occurred under challenging conditions—heavy mud, intermittent shellfire, and poor visibility were constant burdens for those in the line.
Following these engagements, the battalion held their positions until the night of October 19th–20th, when they were relieved by the 12th DLI and withdrew to reserve positions. Over the next few days, the unit marched through a series of rear camps, arriving at Zudausques on October 22nd. The remainder of the month was spent in training and refitting. On October 31st, the battalion participated in a formal inspection alongside the rest of the 69th Brigade, reviewed by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.
Private Birch, aged 32, was Killed In Action on the 18th of October 1917. He was initially buried near Jetty Warren near Beselare at 28.J.11.c.40.80. His remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XLV, Row H, Grave 13.
Sources 13
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10 Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) war dairy (The National Archives, WO 95 /2184/1). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353259 Sources used |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission : Private C S Birch (29045). https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461948/c-s-birch/ Sources used |
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Find a Grave, database en afbeeldingen, gedenkplekpagina voor Private Christopher Smith Birch (1885–18 Okt 1917), Find a Grave-gedenkplek-ID 188793889, citaat Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium; Onderhouden door DC (bijdrager 50456118). https://nl.findagrave.com/memorial/188793889/christopher-smith-birch Sources used |
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FreeBMD. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8912/records/31996628 Sources used |
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Huddersfield Daily Examiner; Publication Date: 10 Feb 1914; Publication Place: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/50095/records/5327503284 Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p.135-136. Sources used |
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Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1543/records/305897 Sources used |
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National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 607001-608500; Reference: 356 https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60506/records/587103 Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail : Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/duke-of-wellingtons-west-riding-regiment/ Sources used |
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The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2352/records/38909981 Sources used |
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The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War. WO329; Ref: 1221 https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5119/records/669697 Sources used |
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The National Archives; London, England, UK; War Office: Soldiers' Documents, First World War Wo363 https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1219/records/156240 Sources used |
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Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 679/04d https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61588/records/101434?tid=&pid=&queryId=74d9725d-46ff-40fd-b11f-ead2115cda6c&_phsrc=gTE12&_phstart=successSource Sources used |