SWINDON - WILTSHIRE
Christ Church
Photo: Duncan & Mandy Ball
Private George Alexander ALDWORTH 3001
Born: Hanney, Wantage, Berkshire, England Enlisted: 13-8-1915, Holdsworthy, New South Wales 56th Battalion Australian Infantry late 20th Battalion Killed in Action: 26-7-1916 aged 34years Resting: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier Son of Alfred & Mary Anne Aldworth, Graham St., Swindon, Wiltshire, England Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 161 |
Second Lieutenant Charles Parker KIRBY
Born: Swindon, Wiltshire, England Enlisted: 17-9-1915, Rutherford, New South Wales 33rd Battalion Australian Infantry Died of Wounds: 18-2-1917, France Resting: Boulogne Eastern Cemetery Husband of Ileene Kirby, Tyringham, via Armidale, N.S.W. Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 122 |
The Don Dorrigo Gazette and Guy Fawkes Advocate (N.S.W.) 3-3-1917
DEATH OF LIEUT. CHAS. P. KIRBY
The sad news reached North Dorrigo on Monday evening last of the death of Lieutenant Chas. P. Kirby caused from wounds received whilst fighting in France. The news was received in Dorrigo with profound regret; for all who knew Charley knew of him nothing but good. He was esteemed and liked throughout the district because of his genial nature and excellent qualities; and we cannot but deeply and sincerely deplore the early passing of such a valuable life. While recognising the necessity that all who are able should carry the standard of Empire and fight for her protection and in her defence, the knowledge, that our bravest and our best have died and are dying to preserve the country's honor and the rights of humanity and civilisation from foul violation, is not a sufficient consolation to repair the breach caused in our hearts when those near and dear to us are cut down. It is only when the dread blow falls on our own heads that we begin to realise the true price of war and its consequences to us. Our own little town, although it has not suffered heavily, has yet felt the cruel hand of war severely on several occasions; and in this last blow dealt us we feel we have lost a gallant gentleman and a worthy townsman. The late Lieutenant Chas. P. Kirby, who was a native of England, enlisted from Dorrigo on September 2nd of 1915. After two weeks' training in Armidale he went to Sydney, where he was admitted to the school for officers. In the course of time he sailed for England, where he underwent further training, and qualified as a 2nd lieutenant. He went to France just before Christmas; and after spending a couple of weeks in the trenches, was admitted to hospital. After a few days, he had recovered sufficiently to return to the firing line, where he was up till the time of receiving the wounds which resulted in his death. A brother of the late Charles P. Kirby (the late Sergeant-Major John Kirby) was killed at the Gallipoli landing. We extend our sympathy to the sorrowing widow and her infant son in their sad bereavement. We can only hope that the knowledge that her husband lived up to the traditions of an English gentleman and died a true English man's death — fighting for that freedom which every Englishman loves and would rather be dead than be without — will sustain Mrs. Kirby in her hour of grief and reconcile her.
DEATH OF LIEUT. CHAS. P. KIRBY
The sad news reached North Dorrigo on Monday evening last of the death of Lieutenant Chas. P. Kirby caused from wounds received whilst fighting in France. The news was received in Dorrigo with profound regret; for all who knew Charley knew of him nothing but good. He was esteemed and liked throughout the district because of his genial nature and excellent qualities; and we cannot but deeply and sincerely deplore the early passing of such a valuable life. While recognising the necessity that all who are able should carry the standard of Empire and fight for her protection and in her defence, the knowledge, that our bravest and our best have died and are dying to preserve the country's honor and the rights of humanity and civilisation from foul violation, is not a sufficient consolation to repair the breach caused in our hearts when those near and dear to us are cut down. It is only when the dread blow falls on our own heads that we begin to realise the true price of war and its consequences to us. Our own little town, although it has not suffered heavily, has yet felt the cruel hand of war severely on several occasions; and in this last blow dealt us we feel we have lost a gallant gentleman and a worthy townsman. The late Lieutenant Chas. P. Kirby, who was a native of England, enlisted from Dorrigo on September 2nd of 1915. After two weeks' training in Armidale he went to Sydney, where he was admitted to the school for officers. In the course of time he sailed for England, where he underwent further training, and qualified as a 2nd lieutenant. He went to France just before Christmas; and after spending a couple of weeks in the trenches, was admitted to hospital. After a few days, he had recovered sufficiently to return to the firing line, where he was up till the time of receiving the wounds which resulted in his death. A brother of the late Charles P. Kirby (the late Sergeant-Major John Kirby) was killed at the Gallipoli landing. We extend our sympathy to the sorrowing widow and her infant son in their sad bereavement. We can only hope that the knowledge that her husband lived up to the traditions of an English gentleman and died a true English man's death — fighting for that freedom which every Englishman loves and would rather be dead than be without — will sustain Mrs. Kirby in her hour of grief and reconcile her.
The Don Dorrigo Gazette and Guy Fawkes Advocate (N.S.W.) 28-4-1917
The Late Lieut. C. Kirby.
DETAILS OF HIS DEATH.
Mrs. Charles Kirby has received the following letter from Lieut-Colonel Morshead: --
Dear Mrs. Kirby, — It is with feelings of deep regret that I write to you of your husband's wounds received on February 8th. That afternoon our artillery and trench mortars heavily bombarded the enemy's trenches. An hour afterwards the Bosche retaliated with minenwerfers and
'pineapple' bombs. During this bombardment one of Lieut; Kirby's men was severely wounded. Your husband rushed to him and rendered
first aid under heavy shell fire. Hearing a shell coming towards him he leaned across- this man to save him from further injury and by so doing
received the force of the explosion. He was badly wounded, but not seriously: I very much regret to say that his leg from above the ankle has been amputated. I wrote to the C.O. of the casualty clearing station and he tells' me that your husband is making favorable progress. I had a note this evening from Lieut. Kirby in which he says 'I am glad to say that I am doing well.' Throughout the bombardment, until he became a casualty, your husband displayed great courage and coolness. He has proved himself a very good officer and I am very sorry that I shall no longer have his services. I am sure that all that is possible will be done for him, and I hope he will have a very speedy recovery. I offer you my sincere sympathy.
The following is a letter which has been received by Mrs. Kirby from the matron of the hospital in which Lieut. Kirby died; --
Dear Mrs. Kirby, — Be-fore you get this letter you will have heard the sad news of the passing away of your husband, Lieut. C. P. Kirby, 33rd A.I.F.; but I think you will like to know a few particulars which I can give you. Your husband was admitted to this hospital early on Saturday morning, February 17th, and passed away on Sunday morning, February 18th at 11.20. When he was wounded, or how long, I cannot tell you. He was very ill when he came here, and had several severe wounds, on the right leg, buttock and back, and his left foot had been amputated. He was so good and patient He did not talk much as he was very weak we did not encourage him to, as we wanted to save all his strength. He spoke of you once, and said he expected to be home soon. I don't think he suffered much, except from weakness. His end was quite peaceful. He was not conscious
just at the last, and so was saved the knowledge of passing from you. I hope it may be some little comfort to you to know that he was not alone
in his hour of need, and that everything possible was done for him. He was buried with military honours and laid to rest amongst many others
who have made the great sacrifice. Accept- my sincere sympathy.
Yours sincerely, — E. G. Barrett.
The Late Lieut. C. Kirby.
DETAILS OF HIS DEATH.
Mrs. Charles Kirby has received the following letter from Lieut-Colonel Morshead: --
Dear Mrs. Kirby, — It is with feelings of deep regret that I write to you of your husband's wounds received on February 8th. That afternoon our artillery and trench mortars heavily bombarded the enemy's trenches. An hour afterwards the Bosche retaliated with minenwerfers and
'pineapple' bombs. During this bombardment one of Lieut; Kirby's men was severely wounded. Your husband rushed to him and rendered
first aid under heavy shell fire. Hearing a shell coming towards him he leaned across- this man to save him from further injury and by so doing
received the force of the explosion. He was badly wounded, but not seriously: I very much regret to say that his leg from above the ankle has been amputated. I wrote to the C.O. of the casualty clearing station and he tells' me that your husband is making favorable progress. I had a note this evening from Lieut. Kirby in which he says 'I am glad to say that I am doing well.' Throughout the bombardment, until he became a casualty, your husband displayed great courage and coolness. He has proved himself a very good officer and I am very sorry that I shall no longer have his services. I am sure that all that is possible will be done for him, and I hope he will have a very speedy recovery. I offer you my sincere sympathy.
The following is a letter which has been received by Mrs. Kirby from the matron of the hospital in which Lieut. Kirby died; --
Dear Mrs. Kirby, — Be-fore you get this letter you will have heard the sad news of the passing away of your husband, Lieut. C. P. Kirby, 33rd A.I.F.; but I think you will like to know a few particulars which I can give you. Your husband was admitted to this hospital early on Saturday morning, February 17th, and passed away on Sunday morning, February 18th at 11.20. When he was wounded, or how long, I cannot tell you. He was very ill when he came here, and had several severe wounds, on the right leg, buttock and back, and his left foot had been amputated. He was so good and patient He did not talk much as he was very weak we did not encourage him to, as we wanted to save all his strength. He spoke of you once, and said he expected to be home soon. I don't think he suffered much, except from weakness. His end was quite peaceful. He was not conscious
just at the last, and so was saved the knowledge of passing from you. I hope it may be some little comfort to you to know that he was not alone
in his hour of need, and that everything possible was done for him. He was buried with military honours and laid to rest amongst many others
who have made the great sacrifice. Accept- my sincere sympathy.
Yours sincerely, — E. G. Barrett.
Company Sergeant Major John Hopkins KIRBY 904
Born: Swindon, Wiltshire, England Enlisted: 27-8-1914, Randwick, New South Wales 1st Battalion Australian Infantry Killed in Action: 2-5-1915, Gallipoli Honoured: Lone Pine Memorial, Panel 12 Son of Mrs. J.P. Kirby, Swindon Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 29 |
Sergeant Albert PAINTER 954
Born: Purton, Wiltshire, England Enlisted: 4-2-1915, Enoggera, Queensland 25th Battalion Australian Infantry Killed in Action: 10-6-1918 aged 26years Honoured: Villers Bretonneux Son of Richard & Thirza Painter, Winifred, Swindon, England Also honoured Swindon Great War Memorial Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 105 |