The Airmen's Stories - P/O T Birkett

Thomas Birkett joined the RAFVR about July 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called up on September 1st 1939 and completed his flying training. He was with 219 Squadron at Catterick at the start of the Battle of Britain.

Birkett was commissioned in October 1940. On November 13th 1940, still with 219 and based at Redhill, he was flying Beaufighter 1f R2071 in daylight when it was seen to emerge from cloud with both engines stopped and crash on the bank of the River Eden outside Edenbridge. He and his observer Sergeant CEP Castle were killed.

Birkett was 26 and is buried at St Andrew's churchyard, near his home at Chew Magna, Somerset.

       Birkett is pictured seated, second from left, in front of a 219 squadron Blenheim Mk1, probably      at Catterick.