Rev. John Birkbeck - 9 Cdo

Hi everyone

Rev. John Edward Hilbert Blake Birkbeck (266374) was Padre of 9 Commando from Aug 1944.

I have found many newspaper clippings online suggesting that he was awarded a Military Cross.

However I can't find any other reference to it in the usual places, eg. TNA Discovery, Ancestry Medal Award Recommendations database, London Gazette. Geoffs WO 373 Search engine.

Anyone got any ideas?

Gus

 

Hi Gus

Here is his commission - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35980/supplement/1737/data.pdf
There is this on Ancestry-
Name: J . E . H . B . Birkbeck
Military Year: 1945 (also 1 for 1944)
Regiment: Royal Army Chaplains' Department
Rank: Chaplains to the Forces (4th Class) ranking as Captain
But you need Fold 3 subscription to look, I am not sure what it would say?
No mention of MC in this-
Name: John Edward Hubert Blake Birkbeck
Gender: Male
Departure Date: 6 May 1960
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination Port: Lagos, Nigeria
Ship Name: Enugu Palm
Cant see anything else, obviously not true.
regards
Robert

 

He gets a mention in link below post 9 although no mention of MC, and this is probably the best place to get your Answer. There is a book with gallantry awards to commandos and I did have it, if I can find it will have a look. Edit, on same site below he is listed in their Obituaries and no MC is shown. Commando Padres

 

John Edward Hubert Blake Birkbeck in the UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960
Name: John Edward Hubert Blake Birkbeck
Gender: Male
Departure Date: 6 May 1960
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination Port: Lagos, Nigeria
Ship Name: Enugu Palm


TD

 

Hi

From all of the newspaper clippings I have read online (on Findmypast.co.uk), John Birkbeck was a highly respected individual who was always giving speeches about his adventures as a padre for the commandos. He even had a weekly radio spot with the BBC in Scotland for 20 years.
This does not sound like the type of person that would falsely claim to have been awarded a MC.

Maybe the press just got it wrong.

Gus

 

... horror, never.... a very good possibility.
I would think it was them and not him too. What date were the newspaper articles? IF after his death, then maybe somebody said something and they went on that, not seeking the truth of it.

regards

Robert

 

Extract from the Falkirk Herald 01 November 1950

John Birkbeck died in Aberdeen in 1989 according to Scotlandspeople.gov.uk. Aged 80.

 

Strange
I would think the best way to go would to be to ask the guy who posted this "Reverend John Birkbeck No 9 Commando who would later officiate and many Commando association ceremonies. (CA Newsletter 66 and others)" on the Commando Padre site above, surely he would know?

regards
Robert

 

I notice in this link he has no MC noted against his name

Obituaries A - C | Commando Veterans Archive
BIRKBECK John Capt 9 NK

as an example others are noted for medals:
BERRISFORD, MM Peter Lt 6 , CBTC NK


BUT then I notice in this link
No 9 Commando
Birkbeck J Capt MC RACD

MC is noted

Strange one
TD

 

Nice find Tricky.

 

Hi

My bother in law, who is a retired C of S Minister, remembers John, but was not aware of his military activities. He did however find a email address for another ex Army chaplain who may have known John.

Sadly the email address dated back to 2009 and my email came back undeliverable.

I am going to try the Chaplains Museum at Amport House today.

G

 

Well it looks as though his MC if awarded would have been later than 2nd March 1943 see link below:

Page 1737 | Supplement 35980, 13 April 1943 | London Gazette | The Gazette

TD

 

I guess another possible source for confirmation would be:

Museum of Army Chaplaincy
Museum of Army Chaplaincy - British Army Website

TD

 

Hi TD

Yes. I found his service number and full name on that page.

We'll see what comes back from Amport House.

Thanks

G

 

Hi G

I posted the link for Amport, and then noticed when I went back up the thread you already have that

This is a curious one
TD

 

This is an interesting and puzzling post.

Newspaper articles contain numerous mentions of the Rev John Birkbeck including the announcement, 31 May 1939, of him taking up the position of minister at St Luke’s Church, Montrose. Most articles refer to him in his capacity as minister and one, 27 April 1942, concerning a meeting, mentions the speaker Rev John E Birkbeck M.A. (I believe this qualification would be normal for someone of the cloth).
22 March 1943 his farewell service as he takes up Chaplaincy duties.
11 Nov 1943 announcement of his daughter’s birth Rev John Birkbeck C.F. (what does CF stand for, Chaplain to the Forces?).

Nothing then until 16 July 1945, “Rev John Birkbeck C.F. M.C. who has been on active service for a considerable time, yesterday conducted anniversary services in St Luke’s, Montrose, of which he is a minister”. Articles resume and mention his talks on his war experiences, some with his MC but a lot without

4 March 1946 a Public notice:
“Commando Week, 10 – 16 June 1946
A public Meeting will be held in the Town Hall, Aberdeen, on Friday 8 March Current at 2:20 pm, for the purpose of forming a committee which will organise the Commando Appeal Week within the City of Aberdeen.
Captain John Birkbeck MC will address the meeting and explain the aims and objectives of The Commandos’ Benevolent Fund.
All who are interested and willing to help are cordially invited to attend.
Thomas Mitchell, Lord Provost, Town House, Aberdeen, March 1946”

However, to throw something into the conversation, I also searched Rev John BIRBECK. There are a couple of mentions pre 1946 then 5 afterwards on his talks, all with his MC. Before you all rush off to the Gazette I could not find an award under this variation of surname.

What we need is someone with access to Scottish records, perhaps an obituary or will, difficult for us south of the boarder (edit. or even border)

PS to Bofors and TD – not important I think the passenger list is Hilbert and not Hubert.

 

Hi

This is what I wrote to Amport House

Hi David.

I am trying to find information about Chaplain John Edward Hilbert Blake Birkbeck (266374).

He joined the Army in 1943 and ended up as Chaplain to 9 Commando.

9 Commando, under the command of Lt-Col Ronnie Tod, landed on the Greek Island of Kithera on 14 September 1944, as part of Operation Aplomb and code-named FOXFORCE. The 530 strong force originating from Land Forces Adriatic (LFA) had been brought over from Italy on board the Canadian Landing Ship (Infantry) HMCS Prince David. Other parts of FOXFORCE came from the Special boat Squadron (SBS), the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the Raiding Support Regiment (RSR). Their mission was to 'prepare the ground' for the main landings at Greece (Op Manna) on the 16 October 1944.
It is highly likely that John Birkbeck was part of FOXFORCE, as he had a reputation for being forward where his troops were, with little regard to his own personal safety.

In November 1944, 9 Commando were sent north to help take control of the second Greek city of Salonika (Op Kelso) and they stayed there during the civil war of December 1944 and January 1945.

Some online newspapers from the late 40's and 50's mention that John was awarded a Military Cross for his bravery. However, I have found nothing else online to corroborate this. I have not found an entry in the London Gazette, nor any award recommendation at the National Archives (WO 373).

Would you be able to confirm whether or not Chaplain John Birkbeck actually received a Military Cross? Would you have a copy of his recommendation/citation?

I am currently gathering material for my second book about the British liberation of Greece, hoping to cover the events of December 1944 and January 1945.

Thanking you in advance.

Gus

And here's his reply

Dear Gus,

I received an enquiry regarding Rev’d Birkbeck in 2015. As I recall the enquiry was from a professional researcher who was in contact with Birkbeck’s son.

Rev J E H B Birkbeck was a Church of Scotland minister. DoB 5.11.1908. Army Number P/266374. He served as an army chaplain on an Emergency

Commission 1943 – 46. His Army Service Record will be held at the Army Personnel Centre, Kentigern House, Glasgow. Died 23.3.1989

I can find indication in records held by the Museum or in the London Gazette or TNA that Birkbeck was awarded a Military Cross or any other award.

He was posted to Combined ops 2 Special Service Brigade, Special Service Group from 30.11.1944.

He was with 2 Commando Brigade, 9 Commando, Land Forces, Adriatic from 1.1.1945.

Kind regards,

David


I think David has missed out a "no" from his answer about the MC and it should read:

"I can find no indication in records held by the Museum or in the London Gazette or TNA that Birkbeck was awarded a Military Cross or any other award."


So if he didn't get an MC, maybe the mistake is down to a misinterpretation of the letters John used after his name in line with his ordination (MA was mentioned above).

Or a a simple typo that was never put right.

Gus

 

Have emailed the Church of Scotland and D.C. Thomsons to see if anyone has an obituary.

Fingers crossed.

Gus

 

Hi

I have just had a reply from DC Thomsons and they have supplied many clippings of Rev/Chaplain John Birkbeck including his obituary.

Nearly every article has a reference to him being awarded an MC. Therefore this is either the worst case of journalistic "Chinese Whispers" or he really did get one.

I have to get permission from them before I can post any of it online.

Does anyone have the War Diaries for 9 Commando for 1944 and see if the Chaplain's MC crops up? I have them for December 1944 and January 1945 and there's nothing.

Gus

 

Gus
I have the 9 Cdo war diaries so will take a look over the coming days.
cheers
Paul