Charles' Story (as told by his family)

Sally Duckett writes > I have been working with a friend, Danny, on the story of his grandfather, Charles Francis Birch, who was in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in the administrative and special duties division.

The only story Danny knew about his grandfather was that he landed on Omaha Beach.  Charles’ great nephew remembers his great uncle telling him he became stuck on a sandbar on Omaha: it was with that tiny snippet of information that Charles’ descendants began their research!

The family have since obtained Charles’ military records, which confirm that he joined No.21 Base Defence team on 7 January 1944, intelligence duties.  Previously he was with No.604 Squadron, again intelligence duties.

By December 1944, he was back in West Malling and then very quickly he went to Odiham with 11 Group.

Charles and his wife parted after the war; he went to South Africa and lost contact with the family.  He died many years ago.

Ron Muggleton comments > I believe intelligence officers were the ones who debriefed pilots on landing after a sortie.  You will note he was posted to 21 BDW early in January 1944, only seven days after it was officially brought into being. The 21 Sector Operational Records Book confirms that Flying Officer C F Birch was posted in on 7 January 1944 for intelligence duties.  Also of note, Charles was aged 37 when he was commissioned in 1941.