Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Whitworth Bird a farm labourer, born 1851 in Gaulby, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Bird (nee Timson, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1860 in Arnesby, Leicestershire. George David, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1881 in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire, and was baptised on the 26th August 1881 his siblings were Eliza Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1882, Frederick, a schoolboy, born 1886 and Fanny, born 1888, all his siblings were born in Houghton on the Hill, in April 1891 the family home was at Scotland Lane, Houghton on the Hill. In March 1901 George was absent from the family home at Scotland Lane, Houghton on the Hill, residing there was his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Fanny, a schoolgirl, Lucy, a schoolgirl, born 1892, Lizzie, a schoolgirl, born 1894 and William, a schoolboy, born 1897, the latter three siblings were all born in Houghton on the Hill, George was employed as a farm servant and was residing at his place of work at White House, Ingersby, Hungarton, Leicestershire. In April 1911 George was employed as a carter and was residing in the family home at 94, Bruin Street, Leicester, together with his wife, Edith Constance Bird (nee Smith, married on the 6th August 1906 in St. Peter’s Church, Whetstone, Leicestershire), born 1886 in Leicester, also residing with the family was George’s widowed mother. They had two children, Rene, born 31st January 1915 and Vera, born 2nd August 1917, who died on the 30th October 1918, both children were born in Leicester.
George attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 6th December 1915 in Leicester. He gave his full address as 94, Bruin Street, Leicester, his age as 34 years and 337 days and his trade or calling as drayman. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Edith Constance Bird of 94, Bruin Street, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¼ inches in height, weighed 148 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36 and 38½ inches. His physical condition was described as very good. After attestation on the 6/12/15 in Leicester he was transferred as Private service number 32439 to the Army Reserve, 10th Hussars on the 6/12/15. Mobilized on the 1/1/17. Posted to the 10th Hussars (Prince of Wales’ Own Royal) on the 1/1/17. Joined the N. C. Depot on the 3/1/17. Posted to the 13th Reserve Cavalry Regiment on the 6/1/17. Posted to the 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment on the 11/2/17. Compulsorily transferred at Cavalry rates of pay to the 3rd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment and allocated the service number 49796 and stationed at Wallsend on the 3/9/17. Posted to the 9th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 17/10/17. Transferred to the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment and allocated the service number 41865 on the 22/10/17. Admitted to the 51st Stationary Hospital, Arquata, Italy suffering from albuminuria on the 4/3/18. Admitted to the 11th General Hospital in Genoa, Italy suffering from albuminuria on the 14/3/18. Contracted nephritis and transferred to France via Marseilles on the 10/4/18. Admitted to the 8th General Hospital, Rouen suffering from nephritis on the 11/4/18. Transferred to England aboard A. T. Guildford Castle on the 5/6/18. Posted to the Depot, South Staffordshire Regiment on the 6/6/18. Admitted to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary on the 6/6/18 – 26/8/18. Admitted to the Duffield Red Cross Hospital, Derbyshire on the 26/8/18 – 17/9/18. Admitted to the 5th Northern General Hospital, Victoria Park, Leicester on the 17/9/18 – 16/12/18. Discharged as no longer physically fit for War Service under (King’s Regulations 292 XVI) on the 16/12/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 1/1/17 – 16/10/17, 289 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 17/10/17 – 5/6/18, 232 days. Home Service, 6/6/18 – 16/12/18, 194 days. Total service 1 year 350 days. George was awarded the British and Victory medals. On the 16th December 1918 a Medical Board agreed that through physical unfitness of 50% due to nephritis George should receive a weekly pension of thirteen shillings and nine pence to commence on the 17th December 1918 for fifty two weeks, expiring on the 16th December 1919. George died on the 13th February 1919.