Brock Centenary 1812-1912 Part 11

When the Rebellion of 1837 broke out Captain Birney was the oldest officer surviving the troubles of 1812-14. Being at that time over age he did not wish to take any part in the fighting, feeling he had served his country well and sufficiently up to that time, and he felt in addition that through favoritism many who had served under him had been promoted over his head. However, through the personal efforts of Sir Allan McNab and Colonel Land he was persuaded to take command of a company of the 3rd Gore Militia, which post he held until about 1841, being actively engaged in military affairs during all that period.

Some of his work at this time was the building of the bridge for the troops to cross the water-gap at Burlington Heights, and he also was engaged in constructing the defence works on Burlington Heights during the battle of Stoney Creek for use in case of retreat. He was afterwards with his company in charge of the 112 prisoners who were held and tried at Hamilton.

When Captain Birney died, in 1873, being in his 96th year, he was the oldest living Mason in Canada, having joined the Craft in 1803.