Profile image
Military service
Service number:
H/10721
Age:
23
Rank:
Rifleman
Force:
Army
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Birth:
May 22, 1921
Lockport, Manitoba
Enlistment:
July 19, 1943
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Death:
June 8, 1944
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
XIII. F. 13.
Additional information
Son of James and Mary Birston of Lockport, Manitoba. Husband of Mary Birston of Lockport, Manitoba.
Digital gallery of Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
-
Grave Marker
-
Document
This is a list of the Canadian soldiers who were found in a mass grave in Normandy. They had been POWs of the SS troops of Kurt Meyer. On the 8th of June 1944 they were herded into a field and shot. A description of the incident is found in the other documents. Rfn Hilliard John Henry Birston is number sixteen on this list. Source: Whitehouse via Archives Canada -
Letter
This letter was sent by CMHQ to the head of the Chaplains Corps and through him to all the district chaplains. Each family on the list received a personal visit from a chaplain to explain that their loved ones named might be in the news and why. Some families heard it on the radio or read it in the paper before the chaplain could get to them. It came as a shock to them that they were not told previously how the deaths occurred. Source: Whitehouse via Archives Canada -
Letter
One of the three survivors of the killing was an RCA Gunner named Clarke. His statement explains what happened. Source: Whitehouse via Archives Canada -
Cemetery
The Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, located at Reviers, about 4 kilometres from Juno Beach in Normandy, France. (J. Stephens) -
Memorial
This monument is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and to all other Canadian combatants who played a part in the Liberation of Putot-en-Bessin on 7 June 1944. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022. -
Memorial
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston is also commemorated on the Memorial at Putot-en-Bessin, FR … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022 -
Newspaper clipping
From the Winnipeg Free Press 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Winnipeg Free Press 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
Digital gallery of
Rifleman Hilliard John Henry Birston
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 250 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.