J L Birley's work on aero neurosis in WW1

[Michael (Australia)]

Hi

A while back, when researching in the Australian War Memorial, I came across a report written by a Major J L Birley on the high mental breakdown rate of Australian airmen in the AFC. I subsequently found a mention of him Louis Strange's biography 'Recollections of an Airman'. According to Strange, Birley was a "brilliant nerve specialist" who studied the effects of active service flying on the men of the RFC/RAF. Strange also mentions a book he wrote, "The Psychology of an Airman".

Firstly, what do we know about J L Birley? Was he in the RAF itself- or was he an independent psychologist?

Secondly- has anyone seen a copy of the book Strange claimed he published? I've checked abebooks and some archival holdings but cant find anything.

Michael

[Doc]

I'll check with some of my aviation/aerospace psychology experts and see if anyone knows anything about him.

Birley seems to have been a temporary lieutenant and then temporary major in the RAMC, attached to the Royal Flying Corps.

"IN the despatch dated November 7th, 1917, from Field-
Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, giving a list of names of those
whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty
he considers deserving of special mention, the following are
included: Temp. Lieut. (Temp. Maj.) J. L. BIRLEY, M.B.,
R.A.M.C.;" Flight Magazine, 1917, p. 1329 Unfortunately, no more details in that article.

Flight, 16 Jan 1919, page 92 notes: "Maj. J. L. Birley to be actg. Lieut.-Col. while employed as Lieut.-Col. ; Oct, 1, 1918, seniority May 28, 1918."

He obviously survived the war, as there was a J.L. Birley writing articles in the medical journals on psychiatric topics up till at least the 1920s.

He was a member of the Committee responsible for publishing "the Report of the War Office Committee Enquiry into "Shell-Shock", 1922. At that time he apparently worked for the Aeronautical Ministry. That document is available on the web at: http://books.google.com/books?id=O5_...Birley&f=false

There are lots of articles in the medical literature by JL Birley, up until the 1960s-1970s, but I don't know if it is the same guy. There also is a psychiatrist JLT Birley whose name recurs in searches.

Doc

[Chock]

Might want to try checking via the Central RAF Hospital, which was located at Hampstead.

There was a study on the psychological affects of war flying carried out there on 200 flyers. Among the interesting conclusions they drew, was that observers were worse affected than pilots. Names to look out for related to that work are Dr O H Gotch and Dr H Graeme Anderson.

Searching on some of that stuff might help a bit.

Al

[Bonehead]

Hhhhmm, you mean war is not good for your mental health?

Who'd a thunk it?

Bonehead

[Doc]

From some people kind enough to help at the FAA:

We searched large bibliographic databases (British Library and OCLC) for any books written by Dr. J.L. Birley and found none.

Dr. Birley is mentioned in "The Cream of the Crop: Canadian Aircrew,
1939-1945," English, A.D., 1996, which we do not have in the library and
cannot be copied from the bookseller's Web site. Couple of lines from the
book..."Birley was a leader in the field of aviation psychology in the
1920s." "Birley's findings were laid out in a series of lectures to the
Royal College of Physicians of London, which were published in the Lancet
in 1920." A reference from the book: Birley rose to rank of
lieutenant-colonel in the RAF and was twice mentioned in dispatches. After
the war he served as consulting physician to the RAF, and in 1920-22, as a
Member of the War Office Committee on Shell Shock. He died in 1934 at age fifty: Who Was Who (London: Adams and Charles Black, 1947), 3: 115-116."

I am currently trying to get the Lancet Articles to review for you, and am hoping that one of them is the desired "Psychology of the Airman", but no bets. Doc

[Michael (Australia)]

Thanks Doc- this is all immensely helpful.

[josquin]

Michael,

Some additional biographical details concerning Lt.Col. J.L. Birley:

James Leatham Birley, birth registered during the 3rd Quarter of 1884, at
East Grinstead, Sussex, registry office; 1901 Census gives Surrey as
his birthplace, and states he was living in Hampshire in 1901.

his death was registered in the 1st Quarter of 1934, at Bishop's
Stortford, Hertfordshire; his age was listed as 49. A copy of
the death certificate can be obtained using the following
identifying information: Volume: 3a Page: 1173.

his Medal Rolls Index Card, available at National Archives, U.K., at
WO 372/2, gives the following:
James Leatham Birley
Major, Royal Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Flying Corps

The reference to "Birley, M.B.," clearly indicates he was a physician
(and psychiatrist) rather than a psychologist. His work, whether in
book form or journal articles, should be of significant value as a
primary source for any serious studies of the psychological costs and
aspects of Great War combat flying. You could try to get a copy
of his service record and his MIC at the National Archives through
their online service.

Regards

Josquin

[Graeme]

Michael

Burke's Peerage says he was Lt-Col James Leatham Birley CBE DM FRCP, was the eldest son of Francis Hornby Birley of Claridges, Lingfield, Surrey and died on 6 March 1934.


From the website Descendants of John Kenrick of Woore Manor

Margaret Kenrick (1856 - )
Born: Westhampnett, Sussex, England.
married 1 Aug 1876, Francis Hornby Birley (14 Mar 1850 - 1 Aug 1910)
Claridge House, Lingfield, Surrey, England
Born: Chorlton, Lancashire, England.
Died: Dormansland, Surrey, England.
Barrister
Margaret Birley (8 May 1877 - )
Born: Mitcham, Surrey, England.
married 20 Nov 1901, Alexander David Barr (21 Sep 1875 - )
Godstone, Surrey, England
Dorothy Birley (12 Aug 1879 - 17 Jan 1880)
Born: Lingfield, Surrey, England.
Died: Lingfield, Surrey, England.
Elizabeth Birley (6 Aug 1882 - )
Born: Reigate, Surrey, England.
James Leatham Birley (12 Jul 1884 - 6 Mar 1934)
Born: Lingfield, Surrey, England.
Died: Lingfield, Surrey, England.

His brother was Capt George Hornby Birley RFC (31 Jan 1894 - 30 May 1919)
Born: Lingfield, Surrey, England.
Died: Nairobi, Kenya.



From The British Medical Journal of 3 May 1913

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON.

A COMITIA was held on April 24th, Sir Thomas Barlow, Bart., K.C.V.O., President, being in the chair.

Admission of Members.

The following gentlemen, having passed the required examination, were admitted as Members of the College:

James Leatham Birley, M.B.Oxford, L.R.C.P.; Joseph le Fleming Coy Burrow, M.B.Edin.; Gordon Ley, F.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; Gustave Jean Philippe Monod, M.D.Paris: Charles Sheard, M.B. Toronto, L.R.C.P.; Stanley Wyard, M.D.Lond.

Graeme

[Doc]

Michael, I have obtained copies of the four articles by Birley from the Lancet in the 1920s. Unfortunately, none of them is the "psychology of the Airman" study to which you were referring. One of them is primarily on aviation psychology, but does not refer to the studies of the Aussies to which you refer. It is an interesting paper, as are the other three, but primarily if you are interested in the development of aviation medicine during the War. He speaks of courage and what it means, the effect of altitude and the consequent hypoxia on pilots, labrynthine equilibrium, etc. I will continue to look for the specific paper you wanted, but I bet it was published in the reports of the Air Medical Investigating Committee (for which he apparently worked at some time), to which I do not currently have access. The AMIC Report #4 of 1918 was written by him, but I do not have the title or subject available at this time. Doc

[crankcase]

Originally Posted by Chock

...
There was a study on the psychological affects of war flying carried out there on 200 flyers. Among the interesting conclusions they drew, was that observers were worse affected than pilots.
...
Al

Interesting. I wonder if observers felt more vulnerable (and anxiety-ridden) by not having control of the aircraft (or even access to the controls)?
marc