World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born to James and Rachel Kirk in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, he grew up an enthusiastic, successful athlete. At the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted in the Manchester Regiment as a Private in the 10th Battalion and was posted to the Dardanelles in 1915. After the withdrawal from Turkey, he was transferred to France and in June 1918 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He was killed in action in November 1918, his gallentry earning him a posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the citation for which read: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th November 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed."
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born to James and Rachel Kirk in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, he grew up an enthusiastic, successful athlete. At the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted in the Manchester Regiment as a Private in the 10th Battalion and was posted to the Dardanelles in 1915. After the withdrawal from Turkey, he was transferred to France and in June 1918 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He was killed in action in November 1918, his gallentry earning him a posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the citation for which read: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th November 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed."
Bio by: Iola
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