King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

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Private Harry Birtwistle

Private Harry Birtwistle, number 3714596, of the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment died on 5th December 1941.  He is believed to have died on board HMS Chakdina which was sunk whilst carrying wounded and enemy prisoners of war from Tobruk to Alexandra.  Private Birtwistle has no known grave as is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial.  He was aged 24 years and the son of Samuel and Dorothy Birtwistle.

Trawden Soldier Missing. Mr and Mrs John Walker, of 7 Lambert Street, Trawden, have received official intimation that Mrs Walker’s brother, Private Harry Birtwistle, of the King’s Own Royal Regiment, is missing believed drowned when a ship on which he was being evacuated from a place in the Middle East was sunk by enemy action. Private Birtwistle is 25 years of age and he is the son of the late Mr and Mrs Sam Birtwistle of 7 Lambert Street, Trawden, where he resided before joining the Forces about a year and eight months ago. Before joining up Private Birtwistle was a loomer and twister at Wilkinson’s Pave Shed. He was associated with Trawden Church and played a prominent part in the Boy Scouts.
Mrs Walker’s son, Aircraftman A T Walker, is a prisoner of war in Germany. He joined up about five years ago, and has been a prisoner since 31 May this year.
Accession Number: KO3016/16-003

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.