Thomas, like his father George, chose a career in the military. Thomas enlisted for unlimited service in the East India Company's Artillery. He joined the EIC recruit depot at Brompton Barracks, Chatham on 1st May 1840 and was there assigned to the Bengal Army.
REGISTER OF RECRUITS
Ship Malcolm Date of Embarkation 9 May 1840 Presidency Bengal Corps Artillery Name Thomas Bird Age #20 Size Feet & Inches 5'71/2" Hair Brown Eyes Blue Complexion Fair Born in the Parish of #Manchester In or near town of #Manchester County Lancaster Kingdom England By whom & where enlisted Maj. Axford Manchester When joined depot 2 May 1840 Date of Enlistment 22 April Date of Attestation 24 April Period of Service Unlimited Occupation Mechanic
# The age and place of birth, are incorrect.
Thomas arrived in Calcutta on 10th Sept. 1840 and was posted as Regimental Number 699 Gunner in the 1st Troop 3rd Brigade of Bengal Horse Artillery. The 3rd Brigade was stationed at Dum Dum until 1841. After the disasters of the First Afghan War 1839-42, 1/3 BHA was ordered to the Upper Provinces. A four month march during the hottest part of the year brought them to Kurnaul, where they remained from 16th Jan 1841 until being transferred to Cawnpore from 7th April 1842. Thomas' pay as a Gunner at this time was Rs 14/6/8 a month, about 1 pound. Out of this he had Rs7/3/- stopped for extra messing and servants and Rs3/3/8 for two drams of rum a day: he had, therefore 4 rupees a month on which to live. He was still not finished with stoppages, as he had to pay for the fitting and repair of his clothing and any loss of kit. His daily ration consisted of 1 pound of bread, 1 pound of beef, a pinch of salt and 3 pounds of firewood.
On 29th Dec. 1843, 1/3 BHA was involved in the Gwalior Campaign and the Battle of Paniar (Punniar). Thomas received the first of many medals, the Bronze Star. This being struck from guns captured from the enemy. From 27th March 1845 1/3 BHA were stationed at Umballa. In 1845-46 1/3 BHA, were present during the First Sikh War and the subsequent Battles of Moodkee (18th Dec 1845), Ferozeshuhur (21-22 Dec 1845) and Sobraon (10 Feb 1846). Thomas, now a Bombardier, received the Sutlej Medal and two clasps (Moodkee & Ferozeshuhur).
On 26th Jan 1847, Thomas married Mary Ann HURST (nee McTAGGART) in Umballa. Mary Ann Hurst was aged 16, and was a widow, having married a Henry Hurst on 10th Dec 1845, having just turned 14. Thomas was by now a Sergeant. On 4th Nov 1847, George Rowland Bird was born in Umballa. There followed the Punjab Campaign of 1848-9. Thomas was again involved in the Battles of Ramnagar (22 Nov 1848), Chillianwalla (13 Jan 1849) and Goojerat (21 Feb 1849) and was awarded the Punjab Medal and two clasps (Chillianwalla & Goojerat). On 23rd Feb 1850 Jane Alice Bird was born at Lahore where the 1/3 BHA were stationed. Unfortunately, Jane died on 31 Aug 1851 in Lahore. In 1852, Thomas was transferred to the 4th Troop 3rd Brigade BHA, the rank of Staff Sergeant and stationed at Mutra, Mean Meer, Lahore. It was here on the 30th April 1852 that Eliza Crompton Bird was born. In 1854, 4/3 BHA was stationed at Multan where Walter Bird, 2nd June 1854 was born. Thomas was again transferred, to 4/1 BHA in 1855. (The 4/3 and 4/1 BHA were native troops, with European Officers). On 16th Sept 1856 Edward Punjab Bird was born in Multan. In 1857, Thomas transferred to Troop S 3rd Brigade BHA and to the rank of Sergeant Major. In March 1858, during the Indian Mutiny, Thomas was present at the Siege and Capture of Lucknow, Battle of Fort Rooya and Allygunge (15th April 1858), Actions at Biswa and Mehindee (6th May 1858) and actions of Pusgaon, Russoolpore and capture of Fort Mittowlee. On 16th August 1858, Thomas was promoted to Ensign for gallantry in several actions. In Sept 1858, as an Ensign with 3/3 BHA, Thomas was back in Umballa, where Alice Ann Bird was born on 2 Sept 1858.
In 1858, Queen Victoria proclaimed that she had assumed the Government of India from the East India Company and that the troops in the EIC would be transferred to the Crown; and in 1861, a Royal warrant directed the amalgamation of the European troops of the EIC with those of the Royal Army. The whole of the Bengal Horse Artillery was amalgamated with the Royal Artillery and renamed. Since a transfer to the British Army meant an implicit agreement on the part of the soldier concerned to serve anywhere in the world, many of the former East India Co. personnel were reluctant to transfer, since they had originally signed up for service in India and had often spent there lives there. Consequently there was a period when many soldiers remained officially "unattached" in order to avoid being sent elsewhere and there were several years of administrative muddle while this was sorted out.
On 11 Jan 1861, Thomas Bird was born in Lahore. Thomas snr at that stage being an Ensign unattached to H.M's 5th Bengal Horse Brigade. Thomas joined the 101st Royal Munster Fusiliers in Multan in August 1862. The regiment left Multan on Dec 19 1862 for Rawalpindi, arriving on Jan 26th 1863. Eva Jane Bird was born at the encamping ground of Sahaira, four stages from Rawalpindi, along the way, on 20th Jan 1863. The 101st marched on December 21st 1864, arriving at Dugshai on January 30th 1865. Richard Patrick Bird was born in Dugshai on 11th Jan 1865. The 101st marched again, to Delhi on 13th Oct 1866, proceeding to Agra by train, arriving on 1st Nov 1866. The regiment formed part of the personal escort to the Viceroy during the great Durbar held at Agra.
It was at Agra, while attending the Durbar that Thomas died of Cholera on 13th Nov 1866. He was buried at St. Georges Church the next day.
More About Thomas Bird: Baptism: 23 August 1823, Monghyr, India. Burial: 14 November 1866, Agra, India. Fact 1: 23 August 1823, Baptised.
More About Thomas Bird and Mary Anne McTaggart: Marriage: 26 January 1847, Umballa, India.
Children of Thomas Bird and Mary Anne McTaggart are:
+George Rowland Bird, b. 24 November 1847, Umballa, India, d. 23 October 1926, Dehra Dun, India.
Jane Alice Bird, b. 23 February 1850, Lahore, India, d. 31 August 1851, Kew, India.
Thomas Bird (b. 09 August 1823, d. 13 November 1866)
Notes for Thomas Bird: