Description: Captain and Adjutant Basil W Bird served and died, aged 22, with the 11th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) during World War 1. The 11th Battalion arrived in France in August 1915 and within the month was engaged in a minor role in the Loos Battle. It took part in the opening day of the Somme offensive on 1st July 1916 and suffered such grievous losses it was relieved that night. It returned to the bitter struggle in late July and again in October for the final attempt to break through the German rear position. In 1917, the Battalion was heavily engaged in the second Ypres Battle for Passchendaele Ridge. In November it moved with its Division to Northern Italy to assist the Italians in their struggle against the German/ Austrian offensive and won further renown for its successful stand at Asiago, where its Commanding Officer Lt. Col. C. E. Hudson DSO MC was awarded the VC for outstanding bravery and leadership. In October 1918 the 11th Battalion returned to France and took part in the final offensive. Captain and Adjudant Basil W Bird MC bar is shown here depicted as St George. The Military Cross (MC) was awarded to commissioned officers of the rank of Captain or below and warrant officers for distinguished and meritorious service in battle. For additional acts of bravery, a straight silver bar was awarded. During World War 1 2885 (294 bars and 16 second bars) were awarded in all. At first, recipients of the Military Cross were not allowed to use the letters MC after their names to indicate their award, but this restriction was later withdrawn.