Gerald Birks

Lieutenant Gerald Alfred Birks (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.

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.

Birks was educated at Montreal High School and Lower Canada College, and was studying architecture at McGill University when the war broke out.

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), and was wounded in November 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He flew solo after only 2 hours of flight training, but did not travel out to England until November. was appointed a flying officer on 15 January 1918,

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."

Birks was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 13 March 1919.

List of aerial victories

Postwar career After the war, Birks rejoined the family jewelry business, and on 21 August 1924, he married Margaret Ryrie of Toronto. Birks became a patron of the arts, and was an active painter until his death in Toronto on 26 May 1991.

Footnotes