Name
Henry Boyd Kirkman
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/05/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
591107
London Regiment (London Irish Rifles)
2nd/18th Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, Sunnyside Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Henry Boyd Kirkman was born In Camberwell, Surrey in 1896, the son of Gilbert and Ellen Kirkman and baptised on 7 August 1896 at St George's Church, Camberwell, Surrey. At that time the family were living at 21 Maydwell Street and his father was working as a labourer.
On the 1901 Census, the family were living at No. 198, Block H, Guinness Trust Buildings, Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, where his father was working as a glazier (paint worker). They had moved to 44 Elizabeth Street, Walworth, Surrey by 1911 at which time 14 year old Henry was working as a district messenger.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Chelsea and initially served as a Private under reg. no. 3041, later being promoted to Sergeant under reg. no. 591107 with the 18th Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles). He served in France from 9 March 1915.
He was killed in action on 1 May 1918 in Egypt and is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Syria, Israel.
Additional Information
His brother Harold served with the 24th (County of London) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment in France from 16 March 1915 and was killed in action on 26 May 1915.
His mother received a war gratuity of £18 and pay owing of £29 15s 4d. His parents jointly received a pension of six shillings a week in respect of Henry and his brother Harold, which was later increased to 9s 6d a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
