Sergeant Peter Birnie was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on January 15, 1908, to parents Jane and Noah Birnie.

Birnie had been active in the Militia from 1930 to 1939 with the 48th Highlanders of Canada, and then attested with them in September 1939 as part of the Canadian Active Service Forces. He was sent to England and then was part of the invasion of Sicily with the 48th Highlanders, where he was killed on July 25, 1943.

External links:
Sgt. Peter Birnie’s service record (Serv/Reg# B73375) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format from Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information can be found at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring Birnie can be vistited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.