Birks was a 31-year-old beekeeper from Auckland, New Zealand, when he reached Egypt as a Bofors gunner in 1941. He served in 42 Battery, 14 New Zealand Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 2NZEF. In addition to a diary, he also wrote detailed letters to his mother describing his war experiences. Among other things he dreamed of good New Zealand honey and asked that it be sent in his parcels from home.

Birks served in Africa and Italy, returning to New Zealand in March, 1945.

The Auckland Museum Library's manuscripts collection contains two hundred and forty-four (244) letters written by Birks to his mother from New Zealand, the Middle East and Italy, covering a period from January, 1941, to February, 1945. [Ref. MS 1413]

Items belonging to Birks are on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum's 'Scars on the Heart' exhibition, 'Freybergs Circus' section. AWMM