Frank Kirby was born on 29th May 1893 to parents Tom and Elizabeth. At the time of the 1911 Census he was 17 years old and working as a Butcher’s Assistant for the Co-operative Society in Bexleyheath. The family lived at the bakery his father managed, at 2 High Street, Welling Kent. He was a was the second youngest child in the family, with siblings Elizabeth Ann, 25, Tom Joseph, 21, an out of work Boat Repairer, Margaret, 19, and Gladys, 7. His parents were aged 53 and 52 respectively. The family had lived at the shop since at least the time of the 1901 Census. Sometime between 1915 and 1918 the Kirby family took over the bakery business.
Tom Senior had been born in Chatham, Kent on the 12th August 1855 and had served for at least 5 years in the Royal Navy , joining in July 1873 as a Steward (Service No.84151) after which he was employed as a Porter. His wife Elizabeth was born in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.
All of the children had been born in Welling and attended Foster’s School. Herbert had started on the 10th August 1891, followed by Tom on the 25th September 1893 and Frank the 13th September 1897.
Frank joined the 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment on the 10th May 1915, most certainly as a volunteer, arriving in France on the 14th December 1915, after training at Maidstone and joining D Company. Frank joined his Battalion which was attached to 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division at the front on the 24th December.
The Battalion were in and out of the line between January and March 1916 opposite the Hohenzolloern Craters near Bethune, France and suffered some casualties during limited actions in this area. In April they were withdrawn from the front for further training that lasted until mid June when they were transferred back to the Somme area.
On the 3rd July the Battalion attacked Ovillers as part of the Battle of the Somme. After initially taking the German front trench they were forced back to their own lines suffering 375 casualties out of a battalion strength of 617.
It was at Ovillers that Frank died on the 3rd July 1916 at 23 years of age.
Unfortunately Frank’s brother Herbert was to die not far from him on the Somme battlefield on the 7th November 1916. Herbert’s story is shown elsewhere. Worse still their mother also had to suffer the loss of their father, Tom, who died between Frank and Herbert’s deaths
Her loss may have been helped in a small way by the letter sent to her on the 18th July 1916 by Frank’s good friend Pte John W Bennett (6464) of D Company, 6th Battalion of the QORWK who confirmed that although initially posted as missing Frank was indeed dead and lying near the German lines. His body was recovered later. It is good to know that Pte Bennett appears to have survived the war.
10th July 1916
Dear Mrs Kirby
We have just been relieved from the trenches, and I now take the opportunity of writing you a few words. By now you will have received the War Office Note, informing you that Frank is “Missing”. It will I know, come to you as a great shock, a great trouble and less, almost more than you can bear. The word “Missing” may include wounded or prisoner but being in the same fight I cannot give you any hope but that Frank has paid the supreme price with his life. If we had any knowledge of his whereabouts I should certainly have tried to find him, but I fear he will be one of many near the enemys’ [sic] lines.Twelve months ago I first knew Frank, we met at Maidstone and since them we have been dear chums, in every way brothers, and believe me I share with you in his loss, but to you as his mother, the loss will be immeasurable. We have spent very many happy hours together, and I testify to you that he was a fine, upright and manly young fellow, a faithful friend and his death an heroes’ [sic] death is in keeping with his life. Even amidst your sorrow I know you will be proud of him. No words of mine can bring you comfort but I pray that God in His mercy will pour upon you and yours and his (Franks’ [sic]) dear young lady in this sad hour the blessing of His Peace – The Peace which passeth all understanding, and that you will be encouraged to go on, knowing that he is only gone before to a fuller and more perfect life. “Greater Love hath no Man than this, that a man lay down his life”.
He was faithful to His God, his King and his Country. No man can do more. Again accept my deepest sympathy.
Believe me to be,
Yours very sincerely
John W Bennett
Pte. J.W. Bennett, 6464 D Company, 6th Batt. R.W. Kents.
B.E.F. FRANCE
The third brother Tom survived the war, married on the 20th June 1920 and had two children Frank and Joyce. He took over the Bakery business which he ran until 1932 when it closed. After this he was employed at Danson Park as a Handyman and later a Park Keeper in the borough. He still plied his bakery trade as a side line, his speciality was making wedding cakes which he was doing well into the 1940s.
Frank is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No.2 Grave Ref, X X E.4 North East of Albert, France.
Commemorated
Links
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Frank Anning Kirby, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.