Brian 'Dickie' Bird was born at 384 Boldmere Road in June 1928. The premises were the base for the family business Bird's Bakery and Confectioners as well as the family home. The young Brian attended Landsdown Preparatory School situated at the junction of Chester Road and Green Lane.

He passed the entrance examination and started his secondary education at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School in 1938. He joined the cadet Corps and took part in a big parade through Sutton in 1944 for Salute the Soldier Week.

Brian commenced national Service at Kingsbury Colliery and following a health problem joined the Army Service Corp as a lance Corporal. In 1948 he was demobbed and started training as a Master Baker and Confectioner joining the family business. The business was sold in the early 1970's and Brian worked at HM Stationery Office in Broad Street, Birmingham from where he retired aged 63 as Book Shop Manager.

As a 2nd Wylde Green Scout from a young age, Brian enjoyed meeting scouts from many parts of the world at the World Scout Jamboree held in Sutton Park in 1956. His interest in scouting led Brian to meeting his future wife and they married at Emmanuel Church in Wylde Green in 1961.The union produced three children, two boys and one girl.

In the middle of the second World War Brian joined Highbury Theatre and he remained a member for the rest of his life. His preference was for backstage roles and he became a trustee culminating in a term as President.

Brian maintained an active life and attended two exercise classes each week even in his 90's. He was well cared for at Wyndley Grange Nursing Home for the last few months of his life and died on 12th November 2021 at the age of 95.

He was cremated at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium on Wednesday 8th December 2021

Thanks to Mike Belman for obtaining this information - NWH