A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Birch, Thomas Frederick
BIRCH. (Commander, 1840. f-p., 20; h-p., 8.)
Thomas Frederick Birch, born 16 Jan. 1805, is eldest son of the late Dr. Thomas Birch, Dean of Battel and Archdeacon of Lewes; and nephew of Rear-Admiral Sir James Alexander Gordon, K.C.B.
This officer entered the Navy, 1 Jan. 1819, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Vengeur 74, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, stationed in the North Sea; removed, in Feb. following, to the Active 46, commanded by his uncle, Sir J. A. Gordon, on Particular Service; became Midshipman, in July, 1821, of the Aurora 46, in South America; passed his examination 2 March, 1825; and was afterwards, until the receipt of his first commission, 17 Aug. 1841, employed as Mate on board the Albion 74, Capt. Sir Wm. Hoste, lying at Portsmouth, Ranger 28, Capt. Lord Henry Fred. Thynne, in South America, and Royal George yacht, engaged on Particular Service. His subsequent appointments were – 20 July, 1832, to the Rover 18, Capt. Sir Geo. Young, also employed on a Particular Service – 17 Nov. 1834, to the Pique 36, Capt. Hon. Henry John Rous, stationed off the coasts of Spain and America – 14 Dec. 1835, as Senior, to the Scout 18, Capt. Robt. Craigie, on the coast of Africa – and, 14 April, 1837, and 24 April, 1838, to the successive command of the Lynx 3, and Wizard 10, on the same station. He was advanced to the rank he now holds 3 July, 1840, but continued in the Wizard until 5 April, . While in that vessel he succeeded in capturing four slavers. Commander Birch is at present on half-pay.
He married, 20 March, 1842, Ann, only daughter of Wm. Stephens, Esq., of Ives Place, Maidenhead, Berks.