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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Henry Birkland

In memory of:

Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland

March 31, 1944
Sagan, Poland

Military Service

Service Number:

J/5233

Age:

26

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

72 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Citation(s):

1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Mentioned in Despatches

Honours and Awards:

Mentioned in Despatches

Additional Information

Born:

August 16, 1917
Caldwell, Manitoba

Enlistment:

July 15, 1940
Vancouver, British Columbia

Son of Kristian Martin and Berthilde (nee Johnson) Birkland, of Calgary, Alberta. Brother of Hans, Elmer, Kristian, Lawrence, Martha and Anne.

Flight Lieutenant Birkland, was honoured on September 7, 2002 with a lake being named after him. He was one of six Canadian airmen shot after being recaptured during an escape from Stalag Luft 3.

A colour guard from 4 Wing Canadian Forces Cold Lake formed part of the honour guard. Family survivors and government officials also attended.

Commemorated on Page 250 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY
Poland

Grave Reference:

7. C. 3.

Location:

Poznan (or Posen), which is the capital of the Province of the same name, is a cathedral city on the River Wanta. The POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY is on the northern side of the town.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– Memorial - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Memorial - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Group Photo– Four Canadian POWs at Stalag Luft III, Sagan. Top, left to right - Sam Sangster; John Gordon "Scruffy" Weir. Below, left to right - Flight Lieutenant Clarke Wallace "Wally" Floody; Flying Officer Henry "Hank" Birkland, one of the Great Escapers murdered by the Gestapo. WW2

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – Four Canadian POWs at Stalag Luft III, Sagan. Top, left to right - Sam Sangster; John Gordon "Scruffy" Weir. Below, left to right - Flight Lieutenant Clarke Wallace "Wally" Floody; Flying Officer Henry "Hank" Birkland, one of the Great Escapers murdered by the Gestapo. WW2
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star November 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star November 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Henry Birkland

    Details

    Photo of Henry Birkland
    Photo of Henry Birkland
  • Newspaper Clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND– Entrance to Harry - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND
    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND – Entrance to Harry - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND– The Canadians - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND
    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND – The Canadians - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND– Memorial Garden - The plaque under the cross reads "Erected by the Prisoners of War of the allied air forces in honoured memory of their comrades who died at Stalag Luft 3 during the war AD 1939-1945 Per ardua ad astra" ... Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND
    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND – Memorial Garden - The plaque under the cross reads "Erected by the Prisoners of War of the allied air forces in honoured memory of their comrades who died at Stalag Luft 3 during the war AD 1939-1945 Per ardua ad astra" ... Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Memorial Stone - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Memorial Stone - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND– Near the exit of Tunnel Harry - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND
    Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND – Near the exit of Tunnel Harry - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial Cairn– Memorial Cairn commemorating Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Birkland Lake was named after him and it was dedicated to him on September 7, 2002. The name of this lake was bestowed by the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (now the Geographical Names Board of Canada). The Memorial Cairns Project was conducted by the Airman's Memorial Cairns Committee, Royal Canadian Legion, McGrane Branch No 28, Lac La Biche, Alberta.

    Details

    Memorial Cairn
    Memorial Cairn – Memorial Cairn commemorating Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Birkland Lake was named after him and it was dedicated to him on September 7, 2002. The name of this lake was bestowed by the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (now the Geographical Names Board of Canada). The Memorial Cairns Project was conducted by the Airman's Memorial Cairns Committee, Royal Canadian Legion, McGrane Branch No 28, Lac La Biche, Alberta.

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