Major Herbert Ralph Birch

Service number	16692, VX47997
Ranks Held	Major, Private
Birth Date	20/02/1896
Birth Place	Australia: Victoria, Barraport
Final Rank	Major
Service	Australian Army
Units	2/23rd Australian Infantry Battalion 22nd Australian Infantry Battalion
Place	Barraport
Conflicts/Operations	First World War, 1914-1918 Second World War, 1939-1945

Rolls

Date of birth	20/02/1896	Barraport, VIC.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	09/03/1916
Date of embarkation	17/01/1917
Other units	30/10/1936	Lieutenant with the 29/22nd Battalion.
Date commissioned	30/10/1936
Date promoted	06/02/1939	Appointed captain.
Other units	1939-08-01 - 1940-07-23	Temporary major and commanding officer 22nd Battalion.
Date promoted	26/09/1940	Appointed major.
Other units	01/08/1940	Seconded as 2nd in Charge 2/23rd Battalion.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	23/07/1940	Enlisted 2nd AIF.
Other	17/12/1940	Arrived Middle East.
Other	1941-07-16 - 1941-08-16	Course - Middle East Tactical School (Senior Officers).
Other units	1942-08-07 - 1944-03-15	Temporary lieutenant colonel, commanding officer 26th Australian Motor Regiment.
Date returned to Australia	07/08/1942	Returned to Melbourne.
Date of honour or award	14/10/1942	Mention in Despatches.
Other	1943-12-23 - 1944-01-18	Course - Land Headquarters School of Artillery.
Other	05/04/1944	Reserve of Officers.
Date promoted	06/01/1944	Appointed lieutenant colonel.