Born on 1st August 1898 at Walton near Bridgewater Somerset, son of Robert (Farmer) and Fanny Bird. 1901: With his family at Northload Farm, Glastonbury which his father was farming. 1911: A schoolboy with his family at Hill Farm, Ilford. He was educated at Ray Lodge Council School in Snakes Lane Woodford. Parents later moved to Nutty's Farm, Childerditch, Brentwood.
Initially he was with 4 Royal Sussex from 4th January 1918, but was transferred to 2 Royal Sussex. He arrived in Europe on 20th October 1918.
At 05.45 on 4th November 1918 2 Royal Sussex led an attack south of Catillon which captured Lock 1 on the Sambre Oise Canal, and gained ground beyond towards Boise de l’Abbaye. The attack was resisted, and Alan Bird sustained wounds from which he died in a Casualty Clearing Station later in the day.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
FindmyPast.co.uk