| Bird | Wilkinson Dent | | Captain | BIRD, WILKINSON DENT, Captain and Brevet Major, was born 4 May 1869, son of Captain J D Bird, of the 20th Hussars, and Kathleen Shortt. He was educated at Wellington College, and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and joined the Queen's (West Surrey) Regiment 22 August 1888; became Lieutenant 1 December 1890. He served under the Niger Company in the Niger Expedition, 1897, taking part in the expeditions to Egbon, Bida and Ilorin. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette 11 June, 1897]; was given the Brevet of Major 10 June, 1897, and received the Medal and clasp. He took part with the-1st Battalion of the Queen's in the operations on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, serving with the Mohmand Field and Tirah Expeditionary Forces (Medal and two clasps). He was on Special Service in South Africa, 15 July 1899, to 16 August 1900, with the Rhodesian Regiment He was severely wounded; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Wilkinson Dent, Bird, Captain and Brevet Major, Royal West Surrey Regiment. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901. Captain and Brevet Major Bird passed the Staff College in 1901. He was specially employed at the Var Office from 1 January 1902, to 26 April, 1903; was Chief Instructor and Staff Officer, School of Musketry, Hythe, 27 April, 1903, to 8 June, 1905; was Professor, Staff College, India, 24 June, 1905, to 13 January 1909; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 18 December 1909; was GSO, Second Grade, War Office, 23 January 1910, to 23 September 1913: was promoted to Major 29 September 1910; Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Irish Rifles, 24 Sept, 1913, to 7 June, 1915; Colonel 2 June, 1913 (by antedate). He served in the European War, with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, in 1914, and was severely wounded; was mentioned in Despatches; was appointed ADC to the King, with the Brevet rank of Colonel, 18 February 1915. He was specially employed at the War Office, 16 April, 1915, to 7 June, 1915; was GSO, First Grade (temporary), War Office, 8 June, 1915, to 3 February 1916; Director of Staff Duties, War Office (temporary), and Temporary Brigadier General, 4 February 1916, to 31 December 1917. Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, 19 May 1918, and Temporary Major General. He was created a CB in 1916, and CMG in 1918. Is an officer of the Legion of Honour and has the French Croix de Guerre. He has the Royal Geographical Society's Diploma, and has published lectures on the strategy of the Franco-German and Russo-Japanese Wars; also a Precis of Strategy. He married, in 1902, Winifred Editha, daughter of Major J B Barker, and they have two daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Queen's) Royal West Surrey Regiment |
