Robert Alexander Birkbeck

Name:

Country:

Scotland

Rank:

Captain

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Unit:

Victories:

Born:

08 October 1898

Place of Birth:

Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Died:

09 January 1938

Place of Death:

Oxted, Surrey, England

Cemetery:

St. Peter, Tandridge, Surrey

The son of Vincent and Winifred (Alexander) Birkbeck, Robert Alexander Birkbeck attended West Downs School, Winchester before he enlisted. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3157 at London & Provincial School, Hendon on 23 June 1916. Appointed temp. 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) 4 March 1917. Scored 10 victories flying Nieuport Scouts with 1 Squadron from 10 June 1917 to 17 February 1918. Distinguished Flying Cross gazetted 3 June 1918. Granted a short service commission as Flying Officer (from Flight Lieutenant) effective from 12 May 1920. Left the service on 12 May 1931 and became a shipbroker.

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950

Birkbeck family in 1914

Birkbeck family during the Great War

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	22 Jul 1917	1900	1	Nieuport (B1582)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Menin
2	10 Aug 1917	1430	1	Nieuport (B1582)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Quesnoy
3	16 Aug 1917	0930	1	Nieuport (B1582)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Passchendaele
4	01 Oct 1917	1110	1	Nieuport (B6753)	DFW C (OOC) ¹	Houthoulst
5	09 Oct 1917	1515	1	Nieuport (B6753)	Albatros D.V (DESF)	S of Polygon Wood
6	09 Oct 1917	1515	1	Nieuport (B6753)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	S of Polygon Wood
7	12 Oct 1917	1145	1	Nieuport (B6753)	C (DES)	Comines
8	21 Oct 1917	1145	1	Nieuport (B6753)	DFW C (OOC)	Nieppe
9	31 Oct 1917	1030	1	Nieuport (B6753)	DFW C (DES)	S of Houthem
10	09 Nov 1917	1600	1	Nieuport (B6826)	DFW C (OOC)	SE of Houthoulst Wood

1	Shared with Capt William Rooper, Lt Francis George Baker (B3630), Lt Lumsden Cummings