BIRCH, S/L Fred (C2698) - Mention in Despatches - Eastern Air Command Headquarters - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946. Born February 1913. Home in Winnipeg. Enlisted as an armourer, 13 February 1936 with No.112 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron. Appears to have remained in Canada when that unit posted overseas. Commissioned 9 September 1940. To No.5 BGS, 26 May 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 15 August 1941. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, 31 July 1942. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 February 1943. To \"Y\" Depot, 1 October 1945. Retired 4 October 1945. \"This officer\'s service is exemplary of a long tour of duty efficiently rendered. Throughout he has taken a keen interest in his work, particularly coastal operations in the Atlantic. Through his untiring efforts and personality, a high degree of efficiency has been attained and maintained throughout Eastern Air Command. In addition, his liaison with the Training Staffs has been of the highest order and resulted in many improvements of training due to his never-failing co-operation.\"