When in 1940 Bournemouth Corporation reduced the size of the orchestra to 24 players, the conductor Richard Austin resigned and Birch took over, steering the orchestra through the war years. He was chief conductor of the orchestra from 1940 until 1946, putting himself forward to be principal conductor, but died on 20 February 1947 before the auditions were held; he was succeeded by Rudolf Schwarz.
When in 1940 Bournemouth Corporation decreased the orchestra size to 24 players, the conductor Richard Austin quit and Birch took over, guiding the orchestra through the war years. He was chief conductor of the orchestra from 1940 until 1946, attempting to become principal conductor but died on February 20, 1947 before auditions; he was succeeded by Rudolf Schwarz.