BIRSS, JOHN STEPHEN, Private, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, s. of John Birss, of 22, Maurice Road, Wallsend-on-Tyne, by his wife, Frances Jane, dau. of Robert Aberdeen; b. Walker, Newcastle-on-Tyne, co. Northumberland, 1 April, 1880; educ. Walker County Council School there; was a Motor Mechanic; enlisted in the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers in 1899; served with his regiment in the South African War, 1901-2 (Medal with three clasps); served two years with the Colours, and joined the Reserve; was time expired; volunteered for active service, and enlisted in the Army Service Corps 15 Feb. 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France for two and a half years; then proceeded to Italy, and died at Montecchio 14 Oct. 1918, of pneumonia, contracted while on active service. Buried in the Communal Cemetery there. He m. at North Shields, 3 Sept. 1902, Mary Agnes (139, George Street, Blaydon-on-Tyne), dau. of John Campbell, and had four children: John Stephen, b. 10 Jan. 1906; Robert R., b. 3 June, 1907; Norman, b. 4 Nov. 1911, and Dorothy, b. 1 July, 1913.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5