Frederick Birks

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Photo by Terry Macdonald

Frederick Birks VC, MM (31 August 1894-21 September 1917) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 23 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 September 1917 at Glencorse Wood, east of Ypres, Belgium, Second Lieutenant Birks, accompanied by a corporal, rushed a strong point which was holding up the advance. The corporal was wounded, but Second Lieutenant Birks went on alone, killed the remainder of the enemy and captured the machine-gun. Shortly afterwards he took a small party and attacked another strong point occupied by about 25 of the enemy killing some and capturing an officer and 15 men. His coolness and bravery inspired his men throughout these operations. He was fatally wounded whilst trying to rescue some of his men who had been buried by a shell.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra, Australia).