Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/5233
Age:
26
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
72 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
Birth:
August 16, 1917
Caldwell, Manitoba
Enlistment:
July 15, 1940
Vancouver, British Columbia
Death:
March 31, 1944
Sagan, Poland
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
7. C. 3.
Additional information
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.
Additional citations
1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Mentioned in Despatches
Digital gallery of Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
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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.<P> 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. -
Photo of Henry Birkland
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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 -
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 -
Photo of HENRY BIRKLAND
Near the exit of Tunnel Harry - Stalag Luft III, Zagan, Poland … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Telegram 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
Digital gallery of
Flight Lieutenant Henry Birkland
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 250 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY Poland
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.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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.
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