Air Cadet Recruits’ Training Flight Named In Memory Of Major Sean Birchall

Published on: 1 Apr, 2019
Updated on: 31 Mar, 2019

Air cadet recruits in Guildford now have an additional training group, known as a flight, named in honour of Major Sean Birchall who was killed on active service in Helmand province, Afghanistan in 2009.

Pictured at the parade event at 261 (Guildford) Squadron Air Training Corps on the left is Major Andy Campbell. Next to him is Guildford Borough Councillor David Elms, the president of the committee of 261 Squadron ATC. Holding the Welsh Guards cap is Brian Birchall, father of Major Sean Birchall, and also pictured are other members of his family. Picture by Paul McCue.

A commemorative event was held during the evening parade of 261 (Guildford) Squadron, Air Training Corps at its headquarters in Stocton Close, Guildford, on Friday, March 29.

The squadron already has one new recruits’ flight, named Farmer Flight. It is in honour of a former cadet member, Lance-Corporal Chris Farmer, who was killed in 2007 in an accident in the UK while serving with the Blues and Royals of the British Army.

Recruiting strength at the Guildford squadron has grown and therefore the need for a second flight for new recruits. The decision was made to name it Birchall Flight after another former cadet of the unit, Major Sean Birchall, who grew up in Guildford and was educated at St Peter’s School in Merrow.

The Birchall Flight commemorative plaque. Picture by Paul McCue.

At the parade was Major Andy Campbell from the 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards, based at Pirbright. He presented a Welsh Guards cap to Brian Birchall, the father of Sean Birchall, who then presented it to the squadron. It complements a Blues and Royals cap, previously given to the unit to commemorate Chris Farmer. The two caps are presented to the highest performing cadets in each flight.

Major Sean Birchall. Picture: Ministry of Defence.

Major Campbell, who was serving with Major Birchall when he was killed, read out the following citation:

“Sean Birchall was born on 23 June 1975 in Vanderbijlpark, Republic of South Africa, but moved back to the UK six months later. He was educated at St Peter’s Catholic Comprehensive School, Guildford, and while there he joined his first elite unit – 261 (Guildford) Squadron of the Air Training Corps.

“He was a member of the squadron for four years from 1988 and by his dedication and ability, reached the rank of Flight Sergeant. His education continued at Plymouth University, during which time he was a member of the Exeter University Officer Training Corps.

“He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1999, and was commissioned into the Welsh Guards on 11 December 1999. He served as a Platoon Commander, both on ceremonial duties in London and on exercise in the jungles of Belize. After a stint as the Regimental Signals Officer he returned to the Belizean jungle in charge of jungle warfare training.

“Following Staff College in 2006-2007 he worked in the Permanent Joint Headquarters, Northwood, but was brought back early to his regiment from that posting to be the Officer Commanding (OC) of newly-formed IX Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

“In June 2009, IX Company was based in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand province. Early in IX Company’s time in Afghanistan, Major Birchall led the Company on a large operation where they served alongside the Afghan National Army to drive the Taliban out of a village called Basharan which is 10km north west of Lashkar Gah.

“Under Major Birchall’s inspired leadership the Company distinguished itself on this operation and subsequently Basharan became part of the Company’s ‘patch’. IX Company was therefore responsible, together with the Afghan National Security Forces, for protecting the people of Basharan and helping them to develop their village.

“On 19th June 2009, at about 11am, Major Birchall was leading a routine patrol to deliver supplies and check on his men in the checkpoints around Basharan. As the patrol, consisting of three armoured vehicles, made its way from one checkpoint to another, an improvised explosive device was detonated against the second vehicle. Despite immediate assistance from the patrol medic, Major Birchall died as he was being extracted to the helicopter landing site. One other soldier was injured in the incident.

“The announcement of his death by the Ministry of Defence described Sean Birchall as having been enormously proud of his regiment – a Welsh Guardsman through and through – and that he was a highly-capable officer, excelled at all he did and was devoted to the men under his command who had enormous respect for him.”