Today is the anniversary of the death of two comrades from Knowle, Warwickshire. Pte George Thompson G/18823 aged 29 and Pte William Bird G/18174 aged 35, both serving in the 7th Bn. The Royal West Kent Regiment. They enlisted together in May 1916, trained together and died together when hit by the same shell at the Schwaben Redoubt during the Battle of the Somme, 4 October, 1916.
Both are believed to be buried in Mill Road, Cemetery. George Thompson has a Special Memorial in the Cemetery. William Bird is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Georg Thompson was a Bank Clerk working and living in Coventry when he enlisted. He is also commemorated at St Barbara's Church, Coventry.
Before enlisting, William Bird was the Headmaster of Knowle Parochial School.
Both men are also commemorated on the Knowle War memorial.
R.I.P.