Help to trace RAF bomber command Airgunner
 

My interest in WW2 aviation was launched back in the early 1980's when i became friends with an old RAF Airgunner called Eddie Bircher.
As a young lad he fired me up with stories of his wartime exploits and gave me parts of a Blenheim he was in ( complete with 7.92mm bullet hole) when it was shot up, together with bits of Shrapnel froma Luftwaffe bomb that almost killed him at RAF West Raynham on May 24th 1940 and also his Airgunners wings.
Typical of a young lad i never got details of what Squadrons he flew with or any details on his career.....CAN YOU HELP PLEASE ???

He flew bombers from the early 1940 Blenheim raids through to the RAF Heavies and served as i think an Airgunner only.

His name is Bircher or could have been Birtcher and was born / lived in Gloucester or Cheltenham.

ANY IDEAS APPRECIATED !!!!

Jon

Re: Help to trace RAF bomber command Airgunner
 

There used to be an Air Gunners Association here in the UK, but I believe that it disbanded in the past year or so.

It might be worth making contact with the people at the Air Gunners room at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, Yorks. It is normally staffed by volunteers many of whom were Air Gunners during WW2 and who may be able to help guide you in the right direction.

Good luck
Linzee

PS: After initial posting found this page which details the history of the Air Gunners Association and confirms it was wound up in 2003. http://www.tmquinn.net/airgunners/me...room/page2.htm