F.+R.+S.+BIRKIN

Birkin, Reginald, Fitter Corporal, 201597, Royal Artillery Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal Formerly 2432, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment Enlisted Derby Resided Ripley Died of wounds 18th April 1918

275th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery Aged 24 Son of Augustus and Eliza Birkin, of Ripley; husband of Annie Gertrude Birkin, of The Club, Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire Buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, VIII, D, 28

According to the 1901 Census, Reginald Birkin was born in Ripley

1911 Census: Francis Reginald Skerritt Birkin was a 16 year old engine fitter, residing in Brook Lane, Ripley. He was the son of John Joseph Augustus, a bricklayer, and Eliza Susan.

Information kindly contributed by Reg Birkin's great nephew, Gordon Clarke:

'Francis Reginald Skerritt BIRKIN DCM MM (better known in family circles as ‘Reg’) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Aged 24 years <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">201597 Cpl Fitter <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">275th Brigade Royal Field Artillery <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Died of wounds Wednesday 18th April 1918 <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Bethune, France <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Grave Ref: V111 D 28

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">**The London Gazette Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal** “<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">201597 Fitter ./ Cpl. R. Birkin, <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">M.M., R.F .A. (Matlock) (LG 3 sept. 1918). <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a battery was being very heavily shelled and most of the guns were damaged he went from gun to gun, repairing them where possible and keeping them in action when practically all the battery were casualties, until he was badly wounded. He showed great pluck and determination and absolute disregard for danger.”

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Before joining the Royal Field Artillery he seemed to have moved regiments quite a bit. Although I have no actual dates I know from archives that he served as :- <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Private 2432 Sherwood Foresters <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Cpl 13164 Army Cyclist Corps <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Cpl Fitter 201597 Royal Field Artillery <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">He was the son of Augustus Birkin (bricklayer) & Eliza Birkin nee Skerritt and lived in Brook Lane, Ripley. In the 1911 Census aged 16 years he was shown as an Engine Fitter. (Fits in quite well with his trade as Artillery Fitter) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">In 1915 he married Annie Gertrude ANTLIFF believed in Matlock. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">As a boy in the 1930’s I can remember my maternal grandmother (Reg’s sister) showing me his medals and the citation which she kept framed. She also had his Sherwood Foresters and his Royal Artillery cap badges. On her death they were all passed on to her great grandson and are now lost to the family.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This is as far as I can go as regards my great uncle. My eldest son has visited Uncle Reg’s grave in Lapugnoy, France and paid our respects. Unfortunately, my age and infirmity bar me from travelling.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Gordon Clarke'


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