Gerald Birks
Gerald Alfred Birks | |
---|---|
Born | Italian Front | 30 October 1894
Awards | Military Cross & Bar |
Lieutenant Gerald Alfred Birks
Family background and education
He was one of seven children (four sons and three daughters) born to William Massey Birks and Miriam (née Gifford). His father was a partner in the jewelers Henry Birks & Sons with his father and brothers. The Birks were descended from a farming family from Darfield, Yorkshire, who emigrated to Canada in 1832.[3][4]
Birks was educated at Montreal High School and Lower Canada College, and was studying architecture at McGill University when the war broke out.[5][6]
World War I
Birks enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 31 August 1915, serving as a lieutenant in the 73rd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada),[6][7] and was wounded in November 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.[5]
Birks joined
This extended training period meant that he had accumulated 138 flying hours in his pilot's logbook before he finally joined
Birks left No. 66 Squadron on 1 July 1918, returning to the Home Establishment to serve as an instructor at the School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery from September.
- Military Cross
- Lieutenant Gerald Alfred Birks, RAF.
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in destroying six enemy aeroplanes, two of which fell on our side of the lines."[12]
- Bar to Military Cross
- Lieutenant Gerald Alfred Birks, MC, RAF.
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in destroying four enemy aeroplanes, two of which were destroyed in one fight."[13]
Birks was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 13 March 1919.[14]
List of aerial victories
No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 18 March 1918 @ 0825 |
Sopwith Camel (B6424) |
Rumpler C | Destroyed | Pravisdomini | Pilot: Shneeberger (KIA) |
2 | 24 March 1918 @ 1145 |
Sopwith Camel (B2497) |
C | Destroyed in flames | South-east of Conegliano | Crew: Poelzi (KIA) and Suski (KIA) |
3 | 2 May 1918 @ 1145 |
Sopwith Camel (B6424) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Levico | Pilot: Leutnant K. Kosiuski (WIA) |
4 | 4 May 1918 @ 0945–0950 |
Sopwith Camel (B6424) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Vidor | Pilot: F. Frisch (KIA) |
5 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Pilot: Oberleutnant Karl Patzelt (KIA) | |||
6 | 11 May 1918 @ 1645 |
Sopwith Camel (B7358) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed in flames | Torre di Mosto | |
7 | 19 May 1918 @ 0735–0740 |
Sopwith Camel (D1913) |
Berg D | Destroyed | Borgo | |
8 | Berg D | Destroyed | ||||
9 | 20 May 1918 @ 1200 |
Sopwith Camel (D1913) |
Berg D | Destroyed | Valdobbiadene | |
10 | 24 May 1918 @ 1045 |
Sopwith Camel (B6424) |
Berg D | Destroyed | Lamon | Pilot: József Kiss (KIA) |
11 | 9 June 1918 @ 1020 |
Sopwith Camel (D8101) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed in flames | Levico | |
12 | 21 June 1918 @ 0910 |
Sopwith Camel (D8101) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Motta |
Postwar career
After the war, Birks rejoined the family jewelry business, and on 21 August 1924, he married Margaret Ryrie of Toronto.[5] Birks became a patron of the arts, and was an active painter until his death[2] in Toronto on 26 May 1991.[5]
Footnotes
References
- Notes
- ^ "Attestation". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Gerald Birks". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ Villeneuve, René (2005). "Birks, Henry". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. 15. University of Toronto/Université Laval.
- ^ Bélanger, Claude (2004). "William Massey Birks". L'Encyclopédie de l'histoire du Québec/The Quebec History Encyclopedia. Marianopolis College. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d Goldsborough, Gordon (1 December 2013). "Memorable Manitobans: Gerald Alfred Birks (1894-1991)". Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Gerald Alfred Birks attestation". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ Leroux, Marc (16 July 2010). "Nominal Roll: 73rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada, C.E.F." Canadian Great War Project. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ a b c Halliday, H. A. (1997). "First World War Honours and Awards to Canadians in British Flying Services". Royal Canadian Air Force Association. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "No. 30357". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 October 1917. p. 11130.
- ^ a b c d Grech, John (2006). "Birks, Gerald Alfred". 66 Squadron, RFC & RAF, 1916 to 1919. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Shores, Franks & Guest (1990), p. 76.
- ^ "No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10922.
- ^ "No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10881.
- ^ "No. 31857". The London Gazette. 9 April 1920. p. 4239.
- Bibliography
- Shores, Christopher F.; ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.