Edward Noble Warburton Birch
Edward Noble Warburton Birch (c1892-1941)
1941 Obituary [1]
Lt.-Colonel EDWARD NOBLE WARBURTON BIRCH, O.B.E., R.A.S.C., was killed on active service at Dunkirk on 27th May 1940, at the age of 49. In recognition of his conduct in this action he was awarded the O.B.E. (military division), but owing to his death the award had to be made posthumously.
Lt.-Colonel Birch was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated B.A. He received his commission in 1913 and served in France during 1914-18 as officer-in-charge of workshops, road officer, and officer commanding mechanical transport units. From 1919 to 1923 he was senior mechanical transport officer, Western Command, and second-in-command of the stores depot. After holding the appointment of officer commanding a mechanical transport company at Colchester, and attending a works course with Crossley Motors, Ltd., Gorton, he became officer-in-charge of transport, Gibraltar, in 1926, where he was responsible for the operation and maintenance of mechanical transport vehicles and motor and steam launches. He held this appointment until 1931, in which year he became officer commanding the heavy repair shop at Feltham, and subsequently carried out regimental duties at Aldershot, Chatham, and London.
Lt.-Colonel Birch was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1924 and was transferred to Associate Membership in 1934.