Teddy Birkett
"Teddy Birkett," a Canadian Engineer officer and one of Robertson's friends from the Somme onward. In the summer of 1916 he is a mess and billet companion: Robertson spends whole days "visiting Birkett," rides with him around Warloy and Talmas, and in July records that "Guy + Birkett got M.C." He is attached to the 1st Field Company ("went down to the 1st coy to help console Birkett," September 1916). Through 1917 he appears at the Divisional Engineers' dinners and in that winter's promotion talk: in February he and Bell are warned they would lose seniority if sent to England for instructional work. He then drops out of the diary for about a year, having gone to the 5th (V) Division; on March 7, 1918 Robertson notes "Teddy Birkett is back … now that the V Div. is bust up." That September he is named in the 1st Brigade, C.E. instructions for the Canal du Nord as the brigade's Forward Reconnaissance and Intelligence Officer.
Robertson never writes more than "Teddy Birkett," and the two papers he kept that give initials disagree: the Corps seniority list, corrected May 1917, has "Birkett, E.H., M.C." of the 1st Company, pencilled "Capt." over a lieutenant's seniority date of December 1, 1915; the September 1918 Canal du Nord instructions call him "Lieut. E. L. Birkett." His first initial is E. and his unit and decoration are consistent throughout, but his full name has not been established. No other Birkett appears in the diary, the letters or the documents.
Appears in the diary · 14 entries
1916
- 30 May 1916… Mac. – Some fine roses around the Lille Gate. – Called on the 7th F.C. & wandered onto Manor Fm. – Saw Ted & Birkett. Wandered in the open in front of Hill 60. Found a 5.9 dud. – Had dinner at 11th Battery. …
- 4 July 1916Rain. – Spent the day visiting Birkett and Boney. – They are most entertaining. – The show has been on & off all day, being fina …
- 11 July 1916… h the Major. – 2nd Tunnel Co’y 22 21st Batty wagon lines. Saw Hal Mooney – Had tea with the C.R.E. – Turner, Birkett & Harvey will probably get something for last month’s work. – I’ll be the only one in the …
- 23 July 1916… O.C. endorsed him & I was ordered to #2 Fld. Amb. – Came back for kit. Mac up from corps. – News that Guy + Birkett got M.C. – Sorry Pete drew nothing. – Returned to #2 F.A. – Sent to #10 C.C.S. – Met El. …
- 31 July 1916Hot. – Spent the A.M. replying to some of the pile of mail that awaited me. – Birkett was over.
- 18 September 1916… ful job. I can’t pull the soft stuff. – 3rd Bgde passed going in again. They are a cheery bunch. Hertzberg & Birkett came over to dinner.
- 19 September 1916… e to Acheux this aft. – Casey’s leave cancelled at the 11th hour. – Went down to the 1st coy to help console Birkett. – Called at 8th co’y. – The O.C. rather crabbed our trip to Amiens by telling us not to …
- 27 September 1916Fine. – Route match. Rode into Warloy with Pete, Guy & Birkett. – Birkett’s nag sure can travel. – I’d like to let nigger out but it woulnd’t be safe. – …
- 16 October 1916… hile trying to catch up to Co’y. Good billets at LAVICOGNE. Difference to last time. – Rode into TALMAS with Birkett. Tott got his commission, that is another one over me.
1917
- 10 February 1917… e to ride the goat if ever get any more leave. – Between that & calling on George I’ll have my hands full. – Birkett + Bell were told they'd lose seniority if sent to Blitey for instructional work. – That w …
- 12 February 1917… 2 co’y. – Quite an affair. – Among those present. – Hertzy, The Doc. – Bruce Ross – Guy – Bate, Leger, Tett, Teddy Birkett, the owner of the billet, Pete – A new chat to the 1st + the 2nd Entr. fellow who lives a …
- 15 April 1917… er to-night with McKinnon & Langford for company. – Bolton is also back but got a place in the gun-pit where Birkett & Staples are. – Rest of the Co'y moved up to BOIS CARRÉ & NINE ELMS. Lang has gone out w …
- 11 October 1917… ing jobs. – Think I'll wait and see. – Shouldn't mind being in a Field Co'y under Rolly, especially if Guy + Birkett exchanged.
1918
- 7 March 1918… Simpson’s nag up to Boswell’s this aft & I won’t be able to walk tomorrow. Rex Calvin was in this morning. – Teddy Birkett is back & a lot of others will be too now that the V Div. is bust up. Roumania has signed …