Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Birkin an electric fitter, born in the July quarter of 1868 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 20th September 1868 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough (son of Luke Birkin, 1839-1895 and Sarah Abbey, 1837-1915) and his wife Sarah Ann Calvert Birkin (nee Brookes, married on the 13th June 1891 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough), born in the January quarter of 1868 in Long Whatton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 10th May 1868 in All Saint’s Church, Long Whatton (daughter of William Brookes and Mary Stevenson). Joseph Frank Brookes was born in the July quarter of 1893 in Loughborough and baptised on the 4th February 1894 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, his siblings were Florence Mary, born in the October quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 20th December 1891 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, William Frederick (Wilfred), born in the January quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 24th March 1897 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, the latter two siblings were both born in Loughborough, Albert Henry, born on the 10th October 1900 in Quorn, Leicestershire and baptised on the 2nd June 1902 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorn, in March 1901 the family home was at Freehold Street, Quorn. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a machine worker and was residing in the family home at Freehold Street, Quorn, together with his father, a fitter, his mother and siblings, Florence, a sewing machinist, William (Wilfred), a machine worker, Albert, Sarah Gladys, born on the 29th December 1902 and baptised on the 20th March 1903 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorn, George Robert, born on the 23rd January 1905 and baptised on the 26th March 1905 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorn and Phyllis Jane, born in the April quarter of 1907 and baptised on the 31st March 1907 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorn, the latter three siblings were all born in Quorn. Joseph had worked at the family’s off-licence before enlistment.
Joseph enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 2nd March 1911 in Mountsorrel, and was allotted the service number 1115. He gave his place of birth as Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 9 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shaper, his current employer being Mr. Field, Electrical Engineer, Loughborough. He gave his present address as Freehold Street, Quorn.
His medical examination took place in Mountsorrel on the 3rd March 1911 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 270 days, that he was 5 feet 6 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches, his physical development was described as good. He gave his next of kin as his father Joseph Birkin, Freehold Street, Quorn.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Mountsorrel. 2/3/11.
Posted. 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 2/3/11.
High Tor. Training. Pte. Pte. 6/8/11 – 20/8/11.
Lovesgrove. Training. Pte. 4/8/12 – 18/8/12.
Promoted. Corporal 28/9/14.
Embodied Service. Pte. 5/8/14.
Promoted. Corporal 28/9/14.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/2/15.
Landed. Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Admitted Hospital. Varicocels. In the Field. 21/4/15.
Discharged to Duty. To North Midland Base Depot, Rouen. 30/4/15.
Proceeded to joint unit at the front. 9/6/15.
Promoted. Sergeant. In the Field. 19/6/15.
Admitted. To North Midland Field Ambulance, Vlamertinghe. Shotgun wound neck. 22/8/15.
Returned to duty. In the Field. 28/8/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 25/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 2/3/11 – 27/2/15. 3 years 363 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 25/9/15. 210 days.
Total Service. 4 years 208 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
CWGC NOTE: After the cessation of hostilities, Joseph was commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. He was one of the many thousands who fell in the Ypres salient, but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death. However recent developments have discovered that Joseph, was in fact buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, and a recent footnote to his record held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission states: - N.B. Recent research has shown that Serjeant Birkin is buried here. Please contact the Commission for further details. Please note that this casualty was previously commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-15 - TRENCHES. At 3.50 am bombardment of HOOGE. Enemy replied and also shelled A1 and 50. At 5.56 am straw which had been put out by night was lighted in front of 50. Smoke bombs were thrown from 49 and A1. This promptly drew fire. 50 and A1 were heavily shelled and 49 trench mortared. Artillery telephone communication lost but 3rd LINCOLNSHIRE Battery and 2nd DERBYSHIRE Howitzer fired over 50 and 49 and later 4th STAFFORDSHIRE Battery. About 7.l5 am bombardment ended and the rest of the day was fairly quiet.