Burial service for Private Harry James Birch, 61964, Cheshire Regiment and four unknown soldiers

Please be advised that the persistent heavy rainfall since October 2023 has significantly impacted several of our sites in Belgium. Normal maintenance activities, including both horticultural care and upkeep of headstones and other structural elements, have been hampered. Consequently, the conditions of some sites may not meet our usual standards and could fall short of your expectations. In addition, the current ground conditions mean we are unable to conduct burial ceremonies at these sites. It is therefore with regret that the service for Private Harry Birch of the Cheshire Regiment and four unknown soldiers, scheduled to take place at Poelcapelle British Cemetery on 23 May 2024 has been postponed until further notice. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and assure you that we will address these issues as soon as weather conditions permit.

A burial service for Private Harry James Birch, 61964, Cheshire Regiment and four unknown soldiers of unknown regiments will be held at 10.30am (local time) on 23 May 2024 CWGC’s Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium.

Private Birch served with the Cheshire Regiment and was killed in action on 22 October 1917. He was previously commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is being buried alongside four unknown soldiers of unknown regiments who were recovered at the same time by CWGC staff.

All the graves will be marked by Commission headstones, bearing as many details as have been established for each casualty. Private Birch’s will bear his name and a personal inscription chosen by his family. CWGC will care for all the graves in perpetuity.

The ceremony has been organised by the British Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre and will be attended by family members, Defence Staff, Regimental representatives, CWGC staff and local dignitaries.