Herbert Birch was born on Friday, 28th January 1887, in Clitheroe, Lancashire. [6, 7, 9-16]
He was the son of Susannah Birch.
Herbert was baptised at St. Pauls Church in Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire, on 14th February 1887. [10-12]
He was educated at the Low Moor National School, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire, in 1892. [2]
Herbert served in the Army Reserve in Clitheroe, Lancashire, on 10th August 1916. [16]
Herbert worked as a Cotton Weaver and after the depression of the 1930's as a Dairyman at Chaigley Dairy, Chaigley, Lancashire until he retired. [2]
Herbert died in 5 Kirk Avenue, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire, of Lung Cancer, in December 1954 at the age of 67. [2, 6]
He is buried in Waddington Road Cemetery, Clitheroe. Lancashire. [17] The Grave Also contains His Wife Bertha and Son Horace.
- Baptism: 24 Feb 1887 St Paul Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire, England
- Herbert Birch - (Child) of Susannah Birch Born: 28 Jan 1887
- Abode: "Low Moor, Clitheroe"
- Notes: Privately - Recd Mar 6 - Illegitimate
- Baptised by: "Jno B Waddington, Vicar"
I used to know the name of Herbert's father, his son Ronald told it to me 50 years ago, but I cannot remember it now.
Herbert's father loved Susannah and she loved him. They were not married and there was very little work and few prospects and he therefore decided to go to America to try his luck. He could not take Susannah with him because he had no money and had to work his passage on the boat. He told her that he would send for her and the baby as soon as he could.
In the meantime, Susannah and Herbert lived at home. Susannah's sister Maria (Aunt Ria) who was married and also in charge of the household, ruled it with a rod of iron, and was an unpleasant, jealous and spiteful person and tormented Susannah terribly.
Herbert's father eventually sent money for Susannah and Herbert to buy tickets for their boat passage to America. Maria intercepted the letters from America and kept the money. Susannah thought that he had deserted her, and he thought that Susannah no longer wanted him.
Maria hated the child Herbert. At breakfast he was not allowed an egg, but had to make do with just the tops off the eggs from the others, and his meals were the scraps and left overs. Herbert told me this himself so I believe it is quite true.
When Herbert was grown the truth came out about the passage money and letters, but by then he and his mother had no way of finding his father.
oooOOO000
Ronald gave me his grandfather's name when I married Larry, so that if I went to America, I could maybe trace him, but I am sorry I have forgotten the name - it was all a long, long, time ago.
Herbert was a fine man, during the depression he marched with all the unemployed people from the north of England to London to demand government action.
He taught me the song "On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At" when I was about eleven years old, he was a wonderful human being. Jill Shaver née Callaghan.
I can just remember my grandfather Herbert who died when I was 5 years old. I used to sit on his lap whilst we listened to 'The Goon Show' on the wireless, he would laugh and chuckle, and so would I, copying his laughter. When he became terminally ill with lung cancer (he was a cigarette smoker) I was sent to stay with my mother's family in Birmingham, returning to Clitheroe after Herbert's funeral. Charles Birch
Following the closure of Low Moor Mil in 1930, Herbert and some of his friends hearing that there was work available in Blackpool during the great depression of the early 30's walked there (about a 35-mile 11-hour walk) spent a few days there and then walked back without finding any work). Jean Birch née Callaghan
Herbert eventually found work as a Dairyman at Chaigley Dairy, where he worked until he retired. Charles Birch
More facts and events for Herbert Birch:
- Residence: 1891. 7 Queen Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [15] Relation to Head of House: Grandson.
- Residence: 1901. 7 Queen Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [13] Relation to Head of House: Grandson. Occupation: Cotton Weaver.
- Residence: 2nd April 1911. 7 Queen Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [14] Relation to Head of House: Son. Occupation: Cotton Weaver.
- Residence: 1939. 7 Queen Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [7] Marital Status: Married. Occupation: Unemployed Labourer.
Herbert married Bertha Howarth between October 1912 and December 1912 in Clitheroe, Lancashire. [18]
They had two sons: Horace and Ronald.
Bertha Howarth was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, on Friday, 7th November 1884. [6, 7, 9, 14, 19, 20]
She was the daughter of Charles Howarth and Mary Ann Tattersall.
Bertha died in Clitheroe, Lancashire, between January 1950 and March 1950. [6]
She is buried in Waddington Road Cemetery, Clitheroe. Lancashire. [17] The Grave Also contains her Son Horace and Husband Herbert.
More facts and events for Bertha Howarth:
- Residence: 1891. 84 St Pauls Street, Low moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [19] Relation to Head of House: Daughter. Occupation: Scholar.
- Residence: 1901. 84 St Pauls Street, Low moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [20] Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter. Occupation: Cotton Weaver.
- Residence: 2nd April 1911. 84 St Pauls Street, Low moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [14] Relation to Head of House: Daughter. Single. Occupation: Cotton Weaver.
- Residence: 1916. 7 Queen Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [16] Other Records: Spouse.
- Residence: 1939. 7 Queen Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, Lancashire [7] Marital Status: Married. Occupation: Unpaid Domestic Duties.
Sons of Herbert Birch and Bertha Howarth:
- m I. Horace Birch was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, in 1914. [6,9) He died in Clitheroe, Lancashire, in 1919 at the age of 5. [6]
- m II. Ronald Birch was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, on 7th February 1921. He died in Clitheroe in October 1986 at the age of 65. [1,6,7]
