Early in the Second World War, a German bomber destroyed much of the captain's quarters, forcing the incumbent, William Birdwood, to move to Hampton Court Palace.[62] Two 6-inch naval guns were mounted in front of the castle between 1940 and 1944, manned by 337 Battery of 563 Coast Regiment.[63] The castle operated as a Battery Operating Post—one of the first-floor rooms in the keep became the Battery Office—and provided accommodation.[64] Following Birdwood's death, in 1951, the castle officially ceased to function as a residence and was passed to the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works.[63] Restoration work was carried out during the 1950s, largely removing the remaining 18th-century modifications on the seaward side of the castle.[65] In 1972 the captaincy of Deal Castle (in abeyance since 1951) was revived, as an honorary appointment, and vested in General Sir Norman Tailyour; he was succeeded in 1979 by Major General Ian Harrison.