112810 Captain Richard Alfred Godsal ‘Beagle’ Birchenough was born on 20 June 1921 in Chevening, Kent, as the eldest son of Major Richard Peacock Birchenough, and Dorothy Grace Godsal, of Sturminster-Marshall, Dorset and was educated at Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire, England.

In 1939, after successfully followed the officer cadet training unit in 1939 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) he received an emergency commission in The Durham Light Infantry.

In September 1943 approximately sixty men of the Durham Light Infantry managed to escape from the Greek island of Kos with the assistance of the Special Boat Service, including Richard. During the enemy attack on the landing ground on Kos Island, Captain Birchenough personally led a number of small sorties under heavy enemy fire to create the impression that the flank he was guarding was strongly held.

He showed complete disregard for his own personal danger and displayed coolness and determination which was an inspiration to his men. Later after he had been ordered to withdraw he went alone across some 400 yards of ground under direct machine-gun fire and successfully set alight a Spitfire aircraft to prevent it falling into enemy hands. He also returned twice to his original position and brought back two wounded men. He then led his men, who. by now were exhausted, to an appointed rendezvous in the hills where he sustained them by his continual cheerfulness and hope until they were evacuated ten days later. His constant devotion to duty, unselfishness and resourcefulness set a fine example to all and is deserving of the highest praise. For these actions Captain Birchenough received the Military Cross.

Following his parachute course he was assigned to 11th Parachute Battalion Headquarters as the battalion’s adjutant.

On Monday 18th September 1944, Richard boarded a Dakota aircraft of the 314 Troop Carrier Group, U.S.A.A.F. at Saltby aerodrome and flew to D.Z. ‘Y’ at Ginkel Heath in Holland as part of the 2nd Lift of Operation Market-Garden. After severe fighting in Arnhem the remnants of the 11th Parachute Battalion had to retreat towards Oosterbeek. There Richard was taken prisoner of war and sent to Oflag VIIB in Eichstätt, Bayern, Germany. His prisoner of war number was 18650.

Richard died on 11 October 1984 in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset at the age of 63.