Private William Richard ’Will’ Bird

1. Private, 42nd Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1917-01-03 ?
2. Private (Army). 1916-04-06 to 1917-01-03

Military Medal (Mons November 10/11, 1918)
Description: For Courage and Devotion to Duty. This N.C.O. was in command of a section during the attack on Mons on the night of November 10/11th. When the advance was held up by two enemy machine-gun posts he worked his way forward, and by bringing heavy rifle grenade fire on the posts forced then to withdraw. He showed great gallantry and initiative throughout.
Date of award: 1919-07-03
Source: London Gazette No. 31430, pg. 8337. Also see Ghosts Have Warm Hands, 2nd Printing: CEF Books, Ottawa, Ontario, page 168.

Son of Stephen Bird and Caroline Augusta Bird; older brother of Stephen Carmen Bird (Service No. 67193) who was killed at Ypres October 8, 1915; husband of Ethel Bird (nee Sutton)

Will R. Bird became an author after the war writing about his war experiences in a book published in 1930 called "And We Go On" (which was republished in 1968 under the title "Ghosts Have Warm Hands"), as well as several other books, including Nova Scotian history. Will's son, Stephen Stanley Bird, was killed serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in 1944 in the Second World War.