53121 L/cpl Alfred Urmson Birchall, NZRB, 9/2/1892-28/3/1918.

Alfred Birchall grew up at 648 North Road, North East Valley, Dunedin.  When he was 20 his father bought a farm over the the hill, at Maungatua on the Taieri Plain.  Alfred worked on the farm with his father.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin

He enlisted in the middle of 1917 and by November of that year he was a Rifleman in the 4th Battalion of the NZ Rifle Brigade.  Two months later he was promoted to Lance-corporal then spent some time in hospital - the remark against this in his record says: "Accidentally injured on duty.  Disciplinary action not necessary."  He was discharged to duty on February 20th.

March of 1918 saw the NZ Rifle Brigade behind the lines near Ypres.  They marched, practised and worked on the preparations for the expected German offensive.  On March 20 and 21 their area was shelled by German artillery using high explosive and gas.

I have been unable to find the details of Alfred's death.  The Brigade seems not to have been in action on March 28th.  Perhaps it was an unlucky German shell.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

IN MEMORIAM.

BIRCHALL.— In loving memory of our dear son, Alfred Urmson Birchall, who was killed in action in Franco on March 28, 1918. 

And when God saw his work on earth was done 

He gently called to him: "My son, My son, 

I need thee for a greater work than this; 

Thy faith, thy zeal, thy fine activities 

Are worthy of My larger liberties"; 

Then drew him with the hand of welcoming grace, 

And side by side, they climbed the heavenly ways.   - Otago Daily Times, 28/3/1919.