Gerald Alfred Birks
| Gerald Alfred Birks | |
|---|---|
| Born |
30 October 1894 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 26 May 1991 (aged 96) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Allegiance | Canada United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit |
73rd Battalion, CEF No. 66 Squadron RFC/RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Battle of the Somme • Italian Front |
| Awards | Military Cross & Bar |
Lieutenant Gerald Alfred Birks MC & Bar (30 October 1894 – 26 May 1991) was a Canadian First World War fighter ace credited with twelve aerial victories while serving in the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force.
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.
Birks was educated at Montreal High School and Lower Canada College, and was studying architecture at McGill University when the war broke out.
Birks enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 31 August 1915, serving as a lieutenant in the 73rd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), and was wounded in November 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.
Birks joined RFC Canada on 8 March 1917, and trained as a pilot at Deseronto and Camp Borden. He flew solo after only 2 1⁄2 hours of flight training, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the RFC on 13 August 1917, but did not travel out to England until November. He was posted to No. 54 Training Squadron in December, was appointed a flying officer on 15 January 1918, and posted to the No. 2 School of Aerial Gunnery in February.
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