Australian War Memorial

Newcastle Journal Thursday 28/09/1916

Sunderland Echo Thursday 28/09/1916

1st Battalion Officers

Newcastle Journal Friday 28/07/1916 Father's Will

Wilfred Kirkley, the second son, was born at 5 Wellington Terrace, South Shields on the 23rd June 1881, one of seven children, of James Kirkley [born, 13th January 1851, South Shields, died 26th May 1916], a Solicitor, J.P,. and Agnes Emily Robertson [born 27th May, 1858 Partick, Scotland, died 5th March 1941, Surrey, buried 8th March 1941], daughter of Joseph Robertson. They were married on the 4th April 1878, at Christ Church, Tynemouth.

Elfida Kirkley born 6th October 1883, South Shields, [married Fleetwood Ashburnham on Thursday, 30th July 1908 at Fairlight parish Church, they had two children Anchitel and Denny], Egbert St Bede, [born 1893, Tynemouth], James Oswin Kirkley, [born 1879, was a bankers clerk], Aidan Kirkley, [born, 19th June 1886, South Shields, baptised 12th March 1886, St Hilda's], Wilfred Kirkely, [born 23rd June 1881], Cedric Kirkley, [born 1889, married Elsie Myrtle Symons and had two children Colin and Helen Ngaire] and Hilda Kirkley, [born 1879 married Alfred E Houfe]. One of the children died.

In 1891 the family were residing in Hexham at 'Burncroft' they had moved from South Shields in 1885.

By 1901 the family were residing at 28 Holland Street, Kensington, London. Wilfred at this time was a Commercial clerk.

Joseph Kirkley was a solicitor practising in South Shields, but he went bankrupt in 1892, with liabilities amounting to several thousands of pounds. He was finally discharged on the 14th November 1901 at Newcastle Crown Court before his Honour Judge Greenwell had said It was a most pleasant thing for him to have an order of this kind, as it was so totally different from most of the bankruptcy cases which came before him. It was very creditable of Mr Kirkley to have paid his liabilities in full, and he had the greatest pleasure in making the order.

The application was made by Mr J. M. L. Criddle, on behalf of the bankrupt, was for the annulment of the bankruptcy, Mr Kirkley paid all his creditors 20s in the pound.

Source: Newcastle Journal 15/11/1901

Wilfred Kirkley was educated at Sea Bark House Boarding School, Alnmouth from 1891, his brother James Oswin Kirkley was there as well, in 1891 he was a boarder, age 9.

In 1901 he was residing at 28 Holland Street, Kensington, near to where his father was employed, Thompson Hill and Kirtley, 3 Raymond Buildings, Gray's Inn, W.C.1.

About this time, Wilfred had enlisted with the London Scottish Regiment as a Volunteer and spent about seven years with them before emigrating to New Zealand.

Wilfred left for New Zealand on the "Orontes" in June 1907, departure from London destination Sydney Australia.

He returned to the UK for Christmas on the 21st December 1907, on the 'Arawa' [Shaw, Savill and Albion Company Ltd], arriving from Lyttelton, New Zealand to London.

Wilfred was a self employed farmer and married Annie Elizabeth nee Collins on the 24th November 1908 in Foxton in New Zealand.

They had two children, Hilda Emily born 23rd April 1910 and Marion Clara born 23rd August 1914.

They resided at Johnston Street, in Foxton, then moved to 8 Boulcott Terrace, Wellington.

His father James Kirkley was now residing at Cleadon Hall, and was actively involved in local politics, as he had retired from being a solicitor. He was a honorary member of the National Independent Order of Oddfellows, a member of the Sunderland West End Conservative Club, and also a member of the St Hilda Four and Twenty, mostly associated with the choir.

By 1911 only Aidan Kirkley remained at home with his parents, he was a Colliery Manager at this time.

Wilfred enlisted at Palmerston North on the 12th July 1915, regiment number 23/1304, he was aged 34 years and 11 3/4 months, eyes brown/hazel, height 5 feet 8 inches and weighed 160lb and an Anglican. On his enlistment sheet he advised that if he was a casualty, an Edward Aylon Esq., [fellow solicitor], of 71 Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, London W, was to be advised. His Medical examination took place on the 16th June 1915 at Palmerstone North.

The residence address by this time was Johnstone Street, Foxton, New Zealand. He embarked on the 4th March 1916 from Wellington to Suez, Egypt, on the HMNZT 48, [SS Tofua] arriving at Suez on the 8th March. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, 'D' Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

On the 16th November 1915, he was posted to 2nd Reserve Company, then on the 14th February 1916, he was transferred R/O 149 'D' Company. Posted to 2nd Training Battalion Moascar. 5th May 1916, 2nd Infantry Brigade Moascar. Then embarked for Marseilles from Alexandria. attached 28th May 1916 to NZ Base Depot at Etaples. 2nd July 1916, posted to 1st Battalion Wellington Regiment at Armentieres.

21st July Joined unit from base. Joined Battalion from 1st Battalion Otago Infantry Brigade in the field. 19th August Transferred to Hawkes Bay Company, Rouen in the field. 16/17th September killed in action.

The Wellington Regiment page 119 tells the story of his death:- On the night of the 18th, the 1st Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion, the former moving back to Check Trench. The march was very trying, the track being a sea of mud, more than ankle deep in some places, and owing to this and the darkness, the move took a long time. Ruahine Company, was shelled heavily while moving out, and had to disperse, with the result that the whole company was not collected until the following morning. The ground allotted was very muddy and had few waterproof bivouacs. The battalion had the misfortune to lose heavily in officers that day (16th). Major F. Ross commanding Ruahine Company. 2nd Lieutenant W. Kirkley and SO Esam, both of Hawke's Bay Company, and 2nd Lieutenant L.W. Meuli of Wellington-West Coast Company, being killed in action.

The NZ Farmers Union, Annual Meeting, Levin Branch dated Tuesday 1st May 1917 reports:- Mentioned in the Annual Report: Your committee regret the loss through death of no less than five of its members, Messrs J Davies, A Drake, R.L and J.H. Bacchus and W. Kirkley, the latter three having been killed at the front.

Source: The Levin Chronicle Tuesday 01/05/1917.

Wilfred Kirkley is remembered at Cleadon on C79.02 C79.08, at East Boldon on E46.01, West Boldon W99.02, W99.03 and in W99.06a page 21.

Wilfred's widow Annie remarried in 1927 William Simon Wauchop. Her daughter Hilda went to Foxton school but left 11th November 1918 to go to Hastings.

When Wilfred was killed, his mother Agnes Emily was residing at a new address 71 Stratton Street, Mayfair, London, W1. She moved there after her husband died in May 1916.

When Agnes Emily [Lanarth Heatherley-Road Camberley, Surrey], died on the 5th March 1941, she left effects of £1455 11s 6d to her son James Oswin Kirkley of no occupation and Harry Edwards Anderson Colliery Director.

In 1921, October 14th Annie was in England at c/o A C Halligen Esq at 27 Capthall Avenue London EC.

Wilfred's brothers are also remembered at Cleadon, Aidan Kirkley, M.C., C79.01, C79.04 and in W99.06a, page 9, Lieutenant Egbert St Bede, C79.04 and in W99.06a page 9, 6th Dragoon Guards, and the other brother Cedric also emigrated to New Zealand and joined the Remount Department of the New Zealand contingents. James Kirkley is remembered at South Shields on S86.051.

Source: Newcastle Journal Monday 27/09/1915

An engagement is announced between Captain Kirkley, M.C., Durham Light Infantry, second son of the late James Kirkey, of Cleadon Park, County Durham, and Mrs Kirkley, of 71 Stratton Street, Mayfair, London, W1., and Lucy Gladys, younger daughter of the late Luke Hansard and Mrs Hansard, of 27 Gledhow Gardens, S.W.

Source: Newcastle Journal Wednesday 12/12/ 1917.

The marriage previously announced of Captain Aidan Kirkley, M.C., Durham Light Infantry, with Miss Gladys Hansard will take place on February 23rd, at Brompton Parish Church.

Source: Newcastle Journal Wednesday 16/01/1918.

Aidan Kirkley has received a commission in the Special Reserve of Officers in the D.L.I. Previous to this he was at the front serving with the 8th Hussars.

Source: Newcastle Journal Monday 27/09/1915

Captain Aidan Kirkley, who has been seconded to command [from the Special Reserve of Officers Reserve Units Infantry], a trench Mortar battery since November 1916, had been awarded the Military Cross. Source: Sunderland Echo Saturday 16/06/1917. He was a Lieutenant from the 17th January 1918. Aidan was a temporary captain whilst commanding the trench Mortar battery, but reverted back to Lieutenant on the 14th March 1918, now in a Works Battalion.

The marriage has been arranged and will take place on February 6th at St. George's, Hanover Square, of Captain Egbert St. B. Kirkley, Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), fifth son of the late James Kirkley, J.P., of Cleadon Park, County Durham, and Mrs Kiirkley, of 71 Stratton Street, Mayfair, London, W1. and Ruby, third daughter of Mr and Mrs George de Vere Fenn, of Richmond, and 44 Curzon Street, Mayfair, W.

Source: Newcastle Journal Wednesday 16/01/1918

Lieutenant Egbert St B. Kirkley was wounded in the leg on the 8th July 1916, and was mentioned in the Newcastle Journal Friday 16/07/1915, under the heading List of Officers Killed and Wounded. He went to France in August 1914 and was in the retreat from Mons.

Footnote: Wilfred's nephew, Wilfred James Kirkley [son of Cedric] died a Prisoner of War in WWII.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13686, 29/09/1916, Page 2
New Zealand Herald Volume LIII, Issue 16346, 28/09/1916, Page 9
Online Cenotaph
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Kirkley