Norman Alan Birch (20)

Nottingham’s heaviest loss of life at a single location during May 9th 1941’s air raid occurred within the Co-op Bakery on Meadow Lane where 49 night shift workers perished. The bakery was hit twice; one bomb caused tons of flour stored on upper floors to crash down to ground level. A second device penetrated the bakery’s air raid shelter roof before exploding amongst the assembled work force. Rescue efforts were impeded by blazing fat. For an excellent account of this incident, see David Needham, Battle of the Flames, Nottingham’s Fight for Survival in WWII (2nd Ed. Chesterfield: Banister Publications Ltd, 2020 p.p. 141-142. First Ed. Horizon Press, 2009). Decades later, Norman Birch’s sister, Betty Doig, re-lived the raid of May 9th 1941 which threatened homes and workplaces in Nottingham’s inner city. ‘It started,’ she recalled, ‘as my younger brothers and myself went to bed. We heard the drones of planes… there was a flash that lit the living room although the black-out curtains were closed. Then a bang as a bomb dropped… Someone banged on the windows to tell us the back door was burning and they were removing a bomb. My dad was on night duty at the G.P.O.; my eldest brother was on the night shift at the Co-op Bakery… Dad came home as he was reluctant to go to the air raid shelter, which was under the garage where the GPO vans were parked. He didn’t like being near all the petrol. My brother wouldn’t go into the shelter at the bakery as it was under all the ovens. Whether he went into the shelter of his own accord we will never know as the shelter was demolished when the bakery took a direct hit. My parents were told he was the fourth person to be found…The bodies of victims were taken to the Victoria Baths for identification. My father had to go to the baths on the Sunday morning to identify clothing or items found. My brother was identified by his jacket and initialled cigarette case.’ (Nottingham Evening Post, Letters 9/9/1998)

Nottingham Evening Post, 12/5/1941, Page 2, Deaths: BIRCH – In May by enemy action. Norman Alan, dearly loved eldest son of Noah and Annie, and loving brother of Joyce, Nancy, Betty, Bob and Brice. BIRCH – In May by enemy action, Norman Alan, dear nephew of Sam and A.G.Poynton and affectionate cousin of Ada, Fred and Barbara. Nottingham Evening Post, Deaths, Tuesday May 13th 1941:BIRCH – Norman Alan, 23, Denstone Road. Interment Wilford Hill, Friday 3.15.Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: BIRCH – Norman Alan. Killed by enemy action May 9th 1941. Fragrant memories not only today but every day for one of the best. – Sorrowing mam, dad, brothers and sisters. BIRCH – Norman. Killed by enemy action May 9th 1941. The parting was sudden, the blow severe, how sweet to remember a pal so dear. – Bob. BIRCH – Norman by enemy action. Supreme sacrifice. – Auntie Lil, Uncle George, cousins. BIRCH – Memories of Norman. May 8th and 9th 1941. – Bob (M.E.F), Mr and Mrs Hill and family. PS Nottingham Evening Post, 9/9/1990, p.20 ‘In Memoriam: Birch – Norman. Killed air raid 1941. Deep are the memories, precious they stay, no passing time can take them away. Loved and remembered always. God bless – Joyce, Nancy, Betty, Bob and Brian’. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: E20/41 Buried May 16th 1941.