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Birch, Harold Charles (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-January-16

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Birth Date: 1925 (age 19)

Son of Harold and Violet Beatrice Birch, of Aspley, Nottingham, England.

Service
RAFVR
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, British Columbia
Rank
Sergeant
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Service Numbers
1582821
32 OTU, Patricia Bay. B.C.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Burial
Google MapRoyal Oak Burial Park
Sec D Plot 21 Grave 4

Hampden AN136

Male Head

Sergeant Birch, Harold Charles (RAFVR)

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-January-16
Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Handley Page Hampden

(RCAF Photo via Chris Charland)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Handley Page Hampden (Serial No. P5428), of No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Patricia Bay, British Columbia, in the torpedo-bomber training role between May 1942 and February 1944.

Handley Page developed a modern stressed-skin mid-wing monoplane, powered by Bristol Pegasus radial air cooled engines, with its first flight in 1936. It had the most advanced wings available at the time, giving it a remarkably low landing speed of 73 mph for an aircraft of its size, with a top speed of 265 mph. The Hampden had a short, narrow but tall main fuselage with a very slender tail unit. This configuration led to the nicknames "Flying Panhandle" and "Flying Suitcase". At the end of the war, no complete or partial Hampden aircraft were retained for museum display.

The Hampden served in the early stages of the war, bearing the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and in the first 1000-bomber raid on Cologne. In Canada, Hampdens were built by six companies that formed Associated Aircraft. There were three in Ontario and three in Quebec, hence they were identified as the Ontario Group and Quebec Group. They supplied all the the components to the two assembly plants. The Ontario Group's assembly plant was at the Malton Airport, while the Quebec group's assembly plant was at the St. Hubert Airport. Canadian Museum of Flight and Harold A Skaarup web page

YouTube Handley Page Hampden in Flight

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hampden Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hampden - Kestrel Publications

last update: 2022-01-13 21:37:22

Hampden Mk. I AN136

With No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. Crashed on Mount Tuam, Salt Spring Island on 14 January 1944, during night solo flight. Sgt. H.C. Birch, RAF killed. Wreckage recovered post war, and pieces used to restore P5436, now on display at Canadian Museum of Flight, Langley, BC.

1942-01-13 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1944-January-14 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Salt Spring Island Names: Birch
1944-02-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

32 OTU (32 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.

More information on the RCAF Station at Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:

RAF Roundel RCAF.info - Patricia Bay, British Columbia

Museum BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay

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