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Lt. Frederick Birks VC MM.
Australian Imperial Force 6th Btn. Australian Infantry
(d.21st Sep 1917)
Lieutenant Frederick Birks served with the 6th Australian Infantry AIF during WW1 and died on the 21st September 1917, Age: 23. He is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgium He was the son of Samuel and Mary Birks. Born at Buckley, Flintshire, Wales.
An extract from the Third Supplement to The London Gazette, No. 30372, of 8th November, 1917, records the following:-
For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when, accompanied by only a corporal, he rushed a strong point which was holding up the advance. The corporal was wounded by a bomb, but 2nd Lt. Birks went on by himself, killed the remainder of the enemy occupying the position, and captured a machine gun. Shortly afterwards he organised a small party and attacked another strong point which was occupied by about twenty-five of the enemy, of whom many were killed and an officer and fifteen men captured. During the consolidation this officer did magnificent work in reorganising parties of other units which had been disorganised during the operations. By his wonderful coolness and personal bravery 2nd Lt. Birks kept his men in splendid spirits throughout. He was killed at his post by a shell whilst endeavouring to extricate some of his men who had been buried by a shell.
