South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 6406 Edwin KIRBY - 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Saturday 25th September 1915 aged 38


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals Loos Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Other Medal SWFHS Area Memorials
1 Nov 1914 in France Queens South Africa Medal & Clasps  
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted for WW1  
Battle of Loos On or before 4 Aug 1914  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials  
St. Elie    
     

Original Enlistment & Former Service

  • From his service number, 6406, Ernest enlisted at some stage between 15 Mar 1898 when #5440 was issued and 13 Feb 1899 when #6661 was issued.
  • Served in 1st & 3rd Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
  • Served in South Africa in Boer War and awarded the South Africa War Medal and the Transvaal, Cape Colony & Orange Free State Clasps

Circumstances of Death

Edwin is listed as being killed in action on 25 Sep 1915 (first day of the Battle of the Loos). The brief 2nd Battalion war diary for that day is transcribed below, the diary does not contain any form of Report on Operations:
 
5.50am Saturday 25th September 1915 - In the trenches
Our bombardment ceased. Our advance commenced at 6.30am. Took German front line trench then [their] support trench then on to the Quarries as far as St. Elie. Captured about 60 prisoners and arrived at this position [not stated] at 9.30am. Kept it till after dark when we had to retire owing to the 9th Division on our left retiring. Occupied Quarries until midnight when we took up a position in support trench 400 yards west of Quarries. The battalion suffered casualties of 72 killed 177 wounded and 273 missing leaving the battalion with just 140 men.


 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
c 1877  Not found
   
Parents Names Abode
William and Sarah Kirby  Not found
   
Wife and Marriage Children
Annie Kirby nee Beddows later Payne Florence Lily b 21 Oct 1907  |  Edwin b 10 Oct 1911
30 Dec 1906 in Ladywood Lucy Annie b 27 Nov 1913
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1877 1881 - School age
1881 - 7 Clifton Road, Aston? 1891 - School age 
1891 - 52 Proctor Street, Aston? 1901 - Soldier in Royal Warwickshire Regt
1901 - Army Barracks, South Africa 1906 - Tape Drawer?
1906 - Johnson Place, Monument Road, Ladywood 1907 - Carter
1907 - 82 Beech, Ladywood  
1915 - 2 Block, 39, Ickneild Square, Ladywood