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1890 Apr/Jun. Born Isle of Wight. His father was William Bird Everton , and was a Protestant, born in Tyrone. He enrolled with the Royal Irish Constabulary on 20th June 1867 at the age of 22. His former occupation was farmer. He resigned on 1st February 1872, to emigrate to England with his wife Amelia Carruthers who was also Irish. He became a prison warder firstly at Portland, Dorset, later moving to Parkhurst Prison, Newport, Isle of Wight. They had three children, Frederick, William and Amelia. His wife Amelia died not long after having Amelia. His son William, joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 15 and eventually became a Major and earned an MC. Two more of Bird’s brothers became soldiers, Robert, who died in India in 1919, and is commemorated at the Kirkee Memorial in India and Edward, who was in the 1st Dorset Regiment.
1891 census at Parkhurst Prison, where his father was a warder.
1901 census at 30 Worsley Rd, Parkhurst, I of W
1906 Mar 16. Enlists with the Dorsets, he is described a a former "indoor servant"
1911 census I cannot find him
1916 May 24. Lands in Palestine with Dorsets. 2nd Dorsets had been captured on 29 April 1916 at the fall of Kut. A composite battalion, composed of returned wounded and other details from the 2nd Dorsets and 2nd Norfolks, was formed at El Orah. It was called the "Norsets" and was attached to 21st Indian Brigade, 7th Indian Division. It was broken up on 21 July 1916 and the 2nd Dorsets re-established.
1916 Jun 14. Lands in Karachi and goes straight on to Basra, Iraq
1916 Jun 24. Lands at Basra
1916 Jul 10. Promoted CSM
1916 Oct 30 Enters hospital with Malaria
1916 Dec 2. Discharged from hospital
1917 Jan 13 rejoins his unit in the field
1917 Oct 24. Dorset. R.—The undermentioned Co. Serjt.-Majors to be 2nd Lts: Bird Everton.
1917 Oct 28. Posted to H Coy.
1918 Mar 30 . To Basra
1918 Apr 10. Embarked Basra
1918 Apr 23 Disembarked Suez
1919 Jan 12. Took over duties of Adjutant
1919 Feb 26. To Acting Capt while employed as Adjutant
1919 Mar 12. Dorset. The undermentioned 2nd Lts. to be Lts. : B. Everton.
1919 May 28. To UK, 4 weeks leave, Hillcrest Terrace
1919 Jun 2. Embarked from Port Said for 4 months leave
1919 Jun 5. MID from MIC, but I cannot find it in LG
1919 Jun 28 Married Ethel Beatrice May Dore in St Pauls Church, Barton, Newport, Isle of Wight. They had no children. Bird’s wife, Ethel lost her husband after only six months of marriage, she could well have grown bitter and become a very sad lady, but she had an unbelievable spirit and sense of humour – we used to love her to visit us, she was such fun, and I have so many happy memories of her. It was said that when Bird died, her hair turned white overnight. She really was a lovely lady and died in 1975 at the age of 84.
1920 Apr 20. Died in Londonderry. "B" Coy. 2nd Bn. Age 30. Bird Everton, a Lieutenant in the 1st Dorset Regiment was accidentally killed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when he was crushed between two armoured cars being used in the troubles while attempting a tow. The inquiry’s conclusion was that Bird failed to warn the armoured vehicle driver that he was about to uncouple the vehicle and therefore no blame should be attached to the driver concerned.
He was buried with full military honours at Londonderry City Cemetery. His widow, mother and brother (an NCO in the Dorsets) were present. His brother officers were the pall bearers and the Regimental Chaplain (Capt. Jagoe) and Rev. John McCaffrey officiated.
Son of the late William Bird Everton (his father died in 1894 in I of W); husband of Ethel Beatrice May Everton, of 37, Fairlee Rd., Newport, Isle of Wight. His mother at the time of his death was referred to as Mrs J. Jackman, of 4 Hillcrest Terrace, Hunnyhill, Newport. After the death of her husband (William Bird Everton) she had remarried.
Buried in Londonderry City Cemetery
British Soldiers died in Ireland