Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Commissioned Boatswain F. A. Bircher, Royal Navy, who had over 30 years service from Boy to commissioned rank, over 10 years of which was spent as a submariner

1914-15 Star (J.33721. F. A. Bircher, Boy 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.33721 F. A. Bircher. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (J.3321 F. A. Bircher. P.O. H.M.S. Dolphin.) contact wear, polished, better than good fine (4) £120-£160

Frederick Arthur Bircher was born on 20 August 1898, at Gloucester. He commenced naval service as Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable, on 15 January 1915. He subsequently served during the Great War in H.M.S. Pembroke I, and H.M.S. Forward, being advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 25 February 1916, and Able Seaman in March 1917. Following the Great War he was posted to several ships including H.M.S. Defiance, H.M.S. Vivid I, H.M.S. Hood, and H.M.S. Crescent. He was posted for service in submarines to H.M.S. Dolphin in October 1922, being advanced to Petty Officer on 12 July 1925. He then appears to have had continuous service in submarines and served in H.M. Submarines, H.27, H.24, H.52, R.10 and L.52, and is also noted as having service with the submarine Depot ships, H.M.S. Maidstone, H.M.S. Vulcan, H.M.S. Lucia, H.M.S. Cyclops and H.M.S. Adamant. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in August 1931, and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer, H.M.S. Defiance in 1935. He was pensioned from H.M.S. Drake I on 19 August 1938, but was recalled for service as pensioned C.P.O., to H.M.S. Drake I, on 4 December 1939, and served during the Second World War in H.M.S. Defiance, H.M.S. Boscawen, H.M.S. Britannia II and H.M.S. Vernon. In the Navy List from 1941 to 1945 he is shown as Temporary Commissioned Boatswain, Controlled Mining (C/M) (Devonport) with seniority from 23 April 1940. He retired circa 1945 as a Commissioned Boatswain.