Memoirs

Private 4803100 Derek Birch

6th Lincolns, 1939

Editor's Note:Mr Derek Birch has kindly given his permission to publish these extracts from his memoirs here.

2nd June 2010

I have recently recorded and typed the memoirs of Derek Birch who was in the 6th Lincolns from 1939. Although 90 and blind for thirty years, Derek is an active man with a lively interest in the world around him. He was persuaded to record his life story for his family but I feel that it deserves a wider audience, now and in the future.

Derek was in France and Belgium and was among the last group to leave Dunkirk. After re-grouping, he was part of Southern Command guarding the South Coast. Seriously injured during training, he spent a year in hospital and was then unfit for active service.

Eventually, he was posted to The Orkneys until war ended.

His account of these years is detailed and absorbing. If it would be of interest in the Regiment Archives, please contact me.

Maureen King

4th June 2010

Thank you for your promt reply and your interest.

Mr. Birch would be delighted to donate a printed version of his book to the Regimental Archive. The book is the story of Derek's life in Grantham from 1919 and provides a social record of the period. If Ms. Frisby feels than it would be appropriate in the Museum of Lincolnshire Life we will ensure that a copy reaches her.

To this email, I have attached the pages relevant to his army service.

Maureen King

Editor's Note:   Written records from common soldiers are relatively rare, but are of enormous value.

• John Searby's photographs of Palestine (1947)
• Bas Warrior's photographs of Malaya (1956 - 1957)
• John Horry's photographs of Malaya (1953 - 1957)
• Video Clips
• Terry Bailey's Photographs
• Books & Publications
• Band Reunion 2010
• Normandy 2009
• Sobraon Day 2010
• Miscellaneous Photographs
• Harold Laws' Photographs
• Talavera Day 2008
• Sobraon Day 2005