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2nd Lt. James Kirk VC British Army 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment


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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

1206231

2nd Lt. James Kirk VC

British Army 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment

from:Droylesden, Manchester

(d.4th November 1918)

James Kirk was killed in action on 4th November 1918 aged 22 and is buried in the Ors Communal Cemetery in France. He was the son of James and Rachel Kirk, of 530 Edge Lane, Droylesden, Manchester. Born at Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire.

An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31108, dated 3rd Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th Nov., 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."









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