Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Private H. Birch, Shropshire Light Infantry

Hong Kong Plague 1894 (Private H. Birch, S.L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (3070 Pte. H. Birch, 2nd Shropshire Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (3070 Pte. E. Birch, Shrops. L.I.), note differing initials, some edge bruising, good very fine (3) £1200-1400

Henry Birch, a Groom by occupation, enlisted into the S.L.I. at Shrewsbury on 30 July 1889, aged 18 years, 2 months. With the Regiment he served in Malta, Egypt, Hong Kong and India, returning to England in 1897 when he transferred to the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 9 October 1899 and departed for South Africa on 9 November. He returned to England and was discharged having completed his period of service in July 1902. (Ref. The Whitewash Brigade).