 In the New Years Honours of 1943 Birley, by then promoted to the rank of captain and temporary major, became a member of the military division of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).On 24 May 1945 Birley, since promoted to temporary lieutenant-colonel, received permission from the war office to accept the award of the Polish order of Polonia Restituta fourth class (officer's cross).On 16 January 1948 he received permission to accept the American award of the Legion of Merit third class (officer).