Name
John Kirby
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/07/1916
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/3038
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POND FARM CEMETERY
A.20
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial.
Pre War
John was the son of William & Mary Kirby, of Alleyns Road, Stevenage. His father was a Railway Signalman and his mother ran a local laundry. Before joining the Army, John had worked as a Labourer and Carpenter but by 1911 was a Fruiterer by trade.
Wartime Service
He had been serving as a Battalion Drummer in France since 7th October 1915. On the 4th July 1916 the Battalion were located at Cookers Farm near Ypres. A party of men were sent out on a reconnaissance patrol, led by Lieutenant Hall. The patrol was spotted by German sentries and attacked with Grenades. Two members of the patrol were killed in the attack, one of whom was John Kirby. He is buried in the Pond Farm Cemetery, Heuvelland, Belgium.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
