Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Christopher Birkbeck was born 1895 in Middleston Moor, one of 6 surviving children (3 deceased), 3 boys and 3 girls, of Christopher Birkbeck born 1860 in Shildon and his wife Lizzie Holder from Oxfordshire. In 1911 the family was living at 15 Prospect Terrace, Windlestone Colliery where Christopher, his father and his two brothers worked. His father was a stone man and Christopher (Jnr) still only 14 years old was a day boy on the bank in the coalfield. His father died two years later in 1913 aged 53.
Unfortunately Christopher’s military record no longer exists, one of the many destroyed during the blitz of WW2. We do know the he belonged to two regiments prior to serving in the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was firstly enlisted in the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 205768, then the 2/5th Manchester Regiment as Private 53813 and finally as Private Christopher Birkbeck 31719 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment. Private Birkbeck was killed in action October 13th 1918 during what is known as the, “Allied Advance to Victory”, which lasted 100 days from August 8th - November 11th 1918. He is interred at Pont-du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies, Pas de Calais, France, grave IV E 18. Christopher Birkbeck was 23 years old and unmarried. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His mother Eliza received all monies owed to him as his sole legitimate beneficiary.
In Gods safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Christopher Birbeck is remembered at Chilton on C107.04, C107.12 and C107.14 (Darlington D40.039) all other records confirm his surname as Birkbeck.
