Honouring the Men who gave their lives whilst serving in the Merchant Navy
and whose names are on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll

S.S. MARCHIONESS of BUTE  -  WW1

H.M.S. Marchioness of Bute was launched in 1890 as a Passenger vessel on 27th October, 1915 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a Minesweeper & was based at Portsmouth, England. On 23rd October, 1917 H.M.S. Marchioness of Bute was purchased by the Admiralty. In January, 1919 she was reportedly used as a Troop and as a Hospital Ship.

Steward Augustus Hardy BIRCH
Born: Melbourne, Victoria
Mercantile Marine Reserve
Service No: 998218
Died 25-10-1919 (accidental), aged 29years
Son of Augustus Birch
Husband of Bessie Birch, of 41, Rochester Rd., Kentish Town, London
Resting: Edinburgh (Seafield) Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll

 

The Age (Melbourne, Vic)  20-12-1919
BIRCH. — Chief Petty Officer Augustus Hardy Birch, R.N. (North Atlantic Squadron, Archangel, Russia), dearly loved husband of Bess Birch, and son-in-Law of the late J. de Pinney, Esq., Bath, England. and beloved son of Clara and the late A. H, Birch, "Birch Grove," Flemington, and much loved brother of Deri and Nurse Claire Birch. Over five years on active service. Duty nobly done.