SA12427
BIRCH, Albert Roy
| Service Number: | 2377 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 29th Australian Army Service Corps |
| Born: | Auburn, South Australia, 27 October 1894 |
| Home Town: | Pyap, Loxton Waikerie, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farm Hand |
| Died: | Loxton (SA), 12 May 1988, aged 93 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Loxton Cemetery, S.A. |
| Memorials: | Loxton Pyap West Great War Honour Roll, Loxton and District Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 2377, 1st Australian Reserve Park | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Driver, 2377, 1st Australian Reserve Park, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Armadale embarkation_ship_number: A26 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Driver, 2377, 1st Australian Reserve Park, HMAT Armadale, Melbourne | |
| 1 Apr 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal | |
| 24 Sep 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Menin Road, On the Menin Road, Cpl Birch was on convoy duty under the command of Lieut.Rush. He prformed valuable work and showed conspicuous courage in re-organising the column which had been thrown into confusion by heavy enemy shell fire. The convoy was heavily shelled west of Clapham Junction. Cpl Birch on this occasion also was of great assistance in getting the column through. | |
| 30 Jul 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 2377, 29th Australian Army Service Corps, "The Last Hundred Days" | |
| 23 Feb 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 2377, 29th Australian Army Service Corps |
Military Medal
on 24th September 1917, on the Menin Road, Corporal Birch was on convoy duty under the command of Lieut. Rush. He performed valuable work and showed conspicuous courage in reorganising the column which had been thrown into confusion by heavy enemy shell fire. On the night of 25th September 1917, the convoy was heavily shelled west of Clapham Junction. Corporal Birch on this occasion also was of great assistance in getting the column through.
Submitted 8 February 2016 by Daryl Jones
Biography contributed by Steve Larkins
Albert Roy BIRCH, MM
Son of Richard James BIRCH and Hannah nee HEARD
wife: Laura
children: Bet, John, Gliff
other_family: Dear Papa of Chris & Heather,Anne & Tony, Jim & Merridy,ggf of Alexander, Jack & Michael
other_information_from RSL_cards:
state_library:
packet_no: '2219'
given_names: Albert Roy
surname: BIRCH
dob: 27 Oct 1894
place_of_birth: Auburn
date_enlisted: 1 Aug 1914
From RSL Cards
28 Drabsch St Loxton
died: 12/05/1988
new_cemetery: Loxton Lawn Cemetery
notes:
age: 93
new_enrolled_rsl: 20/01/1919
Biography contributed by Renmark High School
Albert Roy Birch was a brave and remarkable soldier, who enlisted in World War 1 to fight on September 17th 1914. He was the son of Richard James Birch and Hannah nee Heard, he was born on October 7th 1894, in Auburn, South Australia. In his early life before enlisting in the military, he worked as a labourer and farm hand.
On September 12th, 1914, when Albert was only 19 years and 11 months, his Dad signed a consent form to give authority to allow his son to join the "military expeditionary forces of Australia". By the 17th of September, he was accepted, considering he was fit for the standards, Birch boarded for overseas service on HMAT Armadale (A26) from Melbourne.
When he first arrived, he was assigned to the 29th Australian Army Service and trained as a Driver. 2 years later, in 1916 he was promoted to Corporal. His role in the Army Service Corps was crucial, as he was responsible for transporting supplies and maintaining logistics for frontline troops. While working on a supply convoy on the Menin Road (a dangerous area in Belgium) on the 24th of September 1917, the group came under heavy enemy shell fire, which caused confusion and chaos. Despite the danger, Corporal Birch helped reorganise the convoy, keeping the situation under control and ensuring the group made it through safely. His actions showed great courage and responsibility, so soon after in 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal, a special honour given to soldiers for acts of bravery in battle.
Albert Roy Birch went to war for 4 years and 191 days, where most of this was service abroad. His reason for discharge was cessation of hostilities. He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on February 23rd, 1919. After serving in World War 1, he returned to Australia. His discharge marked the end of his military service. He later settled with his wife Laura, and together they raised a family. He resumed his civilian life in South Australia, with Loxton becoming his hometown. He actively was involved in Veteran’s organisations, including "The Returned and Services League". This was a group to support former soldiers in reintegrating into society.
After his death on May 12 1988, at the age of 93, he was laid to rest in the Loxton Cemetery South Australia. He was fondly remembered by his family, including his three children, Bet, John and Gliff. And as a cherished grandfather to Chris, Heather, Anne, Tony, Jim, Merridy, Alexander, Jack and Michael. His legacy as a WW1 veteran, respected member of the Loxton community and loved family member remains honoured through memorials and historical records.
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