Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats
Philip Edmund Birch
Merchant Navy. British
| Born | 1911 | Portsmouth | |
| Died | 3 Dec 1942 | (31) |
|
Roster information listed for Philip Edmund Birch
| Ship | Type | Rank / role | Attacked on | Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Thirlby | Steam merchant | Master | 3 Apr 1941 | U-69 |
| Thirlby | Steam merchant | Master | 23 Jan 1942 | U-109 |
| Empire Dabchick | Steam merchant | Master | 3 Dec 1942 (+) | U-183 (1) |
Personal information
Son of Alfred Edmund and Minnie Catherine Birch; husband of Elizabeth Ann Birch, of South Shields, Co. Durham.
Award Citation as published in London Gazette on 9 July 1941:
The ship went to the help of another which had been torpedoed. While she was rescuing the crew, she was attacked by two submarines. The Master handled his vessel with skill. He used his gun well and one of the submarines was seen to dive suddenly.
On another occasion the ship was machine-gunned and bombed by an enemy aircraft. The Master instantly replied with his gun. The ship was holed and set on fire and the crew were ordered to the boats. They returned later and, without help, brought the vessel to port. In both actions the Master showed courage and tenacity.
On another occasion the ship was machine-gunned and bombed by an enemy aircraft. The Master instantly replied with his gun. The ship was holed and set on fire and the crew were ordered to the boats. They returned later and, without help, brought the vessel to port. In both actions the Master showed courage and tenacity.