A FLINTSHIRE born recipient of Britain's highest award for gallantry on the battlefield will be recognised at an event on Friday.

Buckley-born Frederick Birks received the Victoria Cross for his amazing bravery in the presence of the enemy during the First World War.

Birks, one of two Flintshire-born recipients of the award, will be recognised at a commemoration event at Coronation Gardens in Buckley on Friday.

Birks' family lived on Lane End in Buckley, with Birks working at Shotton steelworks before he emigrated to Australia aged 19.

During the First World War, Birks was serving with the Australian Imperial Force's 1st Division at the Battle of Ypres in 1917.

Birks' battalion were ordered to attack and capture the German line parallel to them.

The first resistance was met by Birks and a corporal, taking two machine-gun positions. They were attacked with bombs, and the corporal was seriously wounded. Birks continued on alone. Reaching the rear of the pillbox, he forced the occupants to surrender. Birks then led an attack a series of dugouts and pillboxes, and fought against machine gun and bombs. He also assisted in the reorganisation and consolidation of Australian men who had drifted away from their unit.

The next day, 21 September, enemy shelling in response to the movement of Allied artillery had buried some men in Birks' platoon. Birks attempted to dig out these men, leaving himself exposed, where he was killed by the shelling, aged just 23.

For his courage during the battle, Birks was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

As part of the centenary celebrations, there will be an event commemorating Frederick Birks V.C. later this Friday at Coronation Gardens, then at Westwood Primary School for a performance by pupils who have been researching the life of Frederick Birks V.C. Finally, Frederick Birks’ memorial stone will be blessed at St Mathew’s Church in Buckley.