BIRNEY, David Leslie

Rank: 
Captain
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Rifle Brigade
Service: 
Army
Number: 
75991
Born: 
Thursday, June 11, 1914
Died : 
Tuesday, April 28, 1942
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
27
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Captain David Birney, Officer Commanding 2 troop, died of wounds after Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire which took place on 28 March 1942*. He was commanding an assault group that had embarked on Motor Launch ML 447. 

Born in India, David Birney later attended Trinity College graduating with a BA in 1938. The previous year he had won the King's Prize at Bisley at his first attempt. Son of Colonel Charles Folliott Birney, D.S.O. and Rachel Dorothy Dallas Birney; husband of Cecilie Mercedes Randell Birney, of New Milton, Hampshire.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/2 and WO417/5.
St Nazaire Society website.
Trinity College Chapel records.
Article in the Gloucestershire Echo 22 March 1944.
 
Notes
* The date of his death from wounds, being precisely one month to the day after the raid, is as recorded by French authorities, the Casualty Lists, and the CWGC. This fact was also reported in the Gloucestershire Echo in 1944. It has been suggested that this is an error and the date should read 28 March 1942.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 
Photo of grave in Gallery: 
Yes

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