Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website

Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website





Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.

please scroll down to send a message

224335

CSM. Fred Birtwistle DCM & Bar.

British Army 2nd Btn. Rifle Brigade

from:Hollywood, County Down, Northern Ireland

Fred Birtwistle C.S.M Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion (marked with X)

Fred Birtwistle, from Bury, Lancashire, joined the Rifle Brigade to fight at the Boer War in Africa and was awarded medals for South Africa. He was the son of Samuel & Ellen Birtwistle, he was my great-grandfather. He married Margaret (née Bell), from Banbridge, Northern Ireland, whilst at the Palace Barracks in Hollywood, Belfast, 1909. Their first child was my grandmother Ellen. They had other children: Frederick George, Samuel, Isabel and Jeanette.

Fred was awarded a DCM & Bar on 18th of June 1917 and Bar September 22nd 1917. He later received a clasp of roses along with the three WW1 service medals. This was gazetted also for gallantry awards in the field.

Fred was a Company Sergeant Major in the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade. Sadly, Fred died on May 24th 1920 whilst at his barracks at Winchester just after the war. He was aged 38 and is commemorated with a CWWG at Winchester Old Hill Cemetery, England. His DCM & Bar is on display at The Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester, England. Fred's wife died in 1960 at Finlay Street, Ligoniel Village, Belfast, leaving their grandchildren Freddy, Geordie, Isabel, Ellie, Alfie, Ivan, Robert, Reg, Susan, Dinah, and Teddy.

Like so many thousands of brave men that gave their lives for our freedom, our father, grandfather, great-grandfather Fred was a hero and like all who died will be remembered. My mother's sister Susan always remembers the story her mother told her about losing her shoe (a red one) on the way back from India to Liverpool in 1914. Funny how simple things mean so much for memories. I know this story is a personal one but I hope it encourages anyone who reads it.

Fred on joining the Rifle Brigade

Fred Birtwistle's DCM Medal



Please type your message:     

We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit.
Your Name:            
Email Address:       @ **Please put first part of your email, (before the @ sign) in the first box, and the second part in the second box. Do not include @, it is automatic. Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.**