Percy Birtchnell

Percy Birtchnell (8 April 1910 – 12 March 1986) was a British writer and historian. He was especially noted for his writing about the history of his home town of Berkhamsted in West Hertfordshire. His publications include A History of Berkhamsted and Bygone Berkhamsted, both published by Clunberry.

Life and career Birtchnell was born in Highfield Road, Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire in 1910.

After working as a typesetter at Cooper's printing works (later the Clunbury Press), he opened a menswear shop in the parade of shops next to the newly built Rex Cinema. He was one of the founders of the Berkhamsted & District Local History Society in 1950. His menswear shop later moved west along the High Street to new premises.

From an early age, Birtchnell developed an interest in history, especially local history, and began writing articles for local papers when he was aged fifteen. He had articles published in the Berkhamsted Gazette and the Watford Observer. He also contributed historical articles to the Berkhamsted Review, a local parish magazine, writing under the pen name Beorcham, which was an archaic name for Berkhamsted. before the name Thomas Coram Middle School was eventually selected.