Private 28795 Arthur Harry Bird was born in Stowmarket c1865. He originally enlisted as 23249 in the Suffolk Regiment in Ipswich, later transferring to Royal Defence Corps 100th Protection Company. He served at home and died on 25th September 1916 aged 51. He is buried at Stowmarket Cemetery Grave T. Iii and is remembered on Stowmarket War Memorial Gates. He was the husband of Bessie Farrow (formerly Bird), of 39, Bury Street, Stowmarket. Stowmarket Post Sa****ay 19th October 1916 pg5 Death of one of the National Reserve We reproduce from a photo a portrait of Private Arthur Bird, of the National Reserve Corps, whose death occurred on Monday, the 25th September, in the Military Hospital, Cambridge, from an affection of the heart. Private Bird, who was fifty years of age, was a son of the late Mr Charles Bird, and of Mrs Bird, of Bridge Street, Stowmarket, and was for twelve years in the Suffolk Regiment. Deceased leaves a widow and son, and daughter. The remains were conveyed to the home of the deceased, 39 Bury Street, Stowmarket, enclosed in a coffin of polished elm with br*** mountings, and were interred in the Stowmarket Cemetery on Sa****ay, the 30th September. The coffin was borne by members of the National Reserve. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. G.A. Bell, MA, curate, of Stowmarket. The coffin was enshrouded in the Union Jack, and the ‘Last Post’ was sounded over the grave by old comrades from the Bury St Edmunds Corps, with which deceased had been connected. The mourners were Mrs BAH Bird (widow) Mr Ernest Cyril Bird (son) Miss Kittie Sophia Bird (daughter) Mr Walter Bird (brother) Mr and Mrs Fred Bird (brother and sister-in-law), Manningtree; Mr Walter Bird (brother) Mr Sinclare Bird (brother) Mr Stanley Mulley (nephew), Combs; Mr Frank Mulley (nephew), Woolwich; Mrs S. Mulley (Elmswell). Wreaths were sent by Mrs B. Bird, widow and family; Mrs Bird (mother) and family; “From Minnie and Grace, in ever loving memory”; “With deep regret, from Sister Kate and family”; “With deep regret, from Leonard and May Bird”; Mr Roger Bird (brother); and Sister; Mr Fred Bird (brother); Mrs C. Salter (sister-in-law) and family (Harwich); “With deepest sympathy, from Mrs T. Mulley (Elmswell); “In fond remembrance from Mr and Mrs Potter and friend”; “With deepest sympathy, from Mrs Clarke and Sons”; “With deep sympathy, from a few friends.”

Chris Clarke