Frederick Birks

Stormed enemy posts and died rescuing men buried by a shell.

Frederick Birks was born at Buckley, Flintshire, Wales, in August 1894, the son of Samuel and Mary Birks. He attended St Matthew's school and later worked as a labourer and steel rollerman at nearby Shotton. Before emigrating, he also gained military experience in the British Royal Artillery. He moved to Australia in 1913 and worked in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.

On 18 August 1914, Birks enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne as Private 47. Assigned to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps, he sailed for Egypt aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19 October. His unit landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, supporting the 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade.

As a stretcher-bearer, Birks carried wounded men from positions where stretchers could not be used, repeatedly exposing himself to rifle and shell fire. He performed similar work at Cape Helles. Wounded by shrapnel in June, he soon resumed duty and remained at Anzac until his unit left in September. A recommendation for a Military Medal for his Gallipoli work did not result in an award.

After further service in Egypt, Birks reached France in March 1916. He became a lance corporal in April and continued his medical duties during the Somme fighting. At Pozières on 26 July, he led stretcher-bearers through the village and wood under sustained shell fire, collecting casualties when many regimental bearers were out of action. This service earned him the Military Medal. Promoted to corporal in August, he was subsequently selected for officer training and joined the 6th Australian Infantry Battalion as a second lieutenant in May 1917.

On 20 September, during the advance on Glencorse Wood east of Ypres, Birks and a corporal attacked a German strongpoint holding up their battalion. His companion was wounded, but Birks continued alone, overcame the position and captured its machine-gun. He then organised a small party against another strongpoint, taking an officer and fifteen men prisoner. During consolidation he reorganised men from other units and maintained their morale under fire.

The next day, 21 September 1917, Birks was killed by a shell while trying to free men buried by an earlier explosion. He received the Victoria Cross posthumously. King George V presented it to his brother Samuel at Buckingham Palace on 19 December 1917. Birks is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Belgium.

Victoria Cross citation 2nd Lt. Frederick Birks, late Aus. Imp. Force.

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.