Charles Kirk
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- Military History
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Charles was born in 1892 at Newark and was the son of Sophia Elizabeth Lockhart (formerly Kirk) née Rossington of 136 Barnby Gate Newark and the late Frederick Kirk a confectioner His father Frederick was born in 1869 at Newark he died in 1911 at Newark aged 49 yrs and his mother Sophia Elizabeth Rossington was born in 1869 at Collingham, they were married in 1890 at Newark and had 10 children, sadly three died in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children all born in Newark were, Charles b1892, Eva b1895 Herbert (killed in action 8/5/1915), b1896, Sidney b1902, Clarence b1906, Gladys b1908 and Kathleen Kirk b1910. In the 1911 census the family are living at 15 Appleton Gate, Newark and are shown as Sophia Elizabeth Kirk, 42 yrs a widow and a confectioner, she is living with her children, Charles 19 yrs a sugar boiler, Eva 16 yrs a hair dressers assistant, Herbert 15 yrs an assistant, Sidney 9 yrs a scholar, Clarence 5 yrs, Gladys 3 yrs and Kathleen 9 months of age.
Private Charles Kirk enlisted on 12th December 1915 at Newark, he gave his age as 24 yrs and 3 months, his address was 15 Appleton Gate, Newark, he was a master confectioner and his religion was that of a Wesleyan. His next of kin was him mother Sophia Elizabeth of the same address. He was posted to the reserves the following day. He was mobilised for war on 27th July 1916 and reported tot he depot at Derby on 29th July where he was posted to the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters. On 3rd August 1917 he embarked from Folkstone arriving at Bologne the same day. On 21st August 1917 he was transferred to the 2/5th South Staffordshire Regiment. He went missing in action on 21st March 1918 and his body was found on 3rd April 1918 near Bullecourt. He is buried at Croisilles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. grave reference 6.E.4
Article published 28th August 1918 in the Newark Advertiser :- Eldest son of Mrs Kirk and late Frederick Kirk. As a boy he was at the Wesleyan Day School, which he attended seven years “never absent, never late”. Afterwards to went to work at Messrs. Watmough’s, Nottingham, until the sudden death of his father, when he came home to assist in the confectioners business on Appletongate. He was called up three years ago, when he joined the Notts. & Derbys. On Aug. 24th, 1917 he was transferred to the North Staffs. with whom he remained up to the time reported missing on March 21st, 1918. Report received from the Red Cross in Geneva, “Was picked up dead on the battlefield, two kilometres West of Bullecourt, about 300 metres from the road Bullecourt-Crosvelles. Buried 3-4-18”. He had been closely connected with Barnbygate Wesleyan Church and was for a considerable period was in the choir. Also a capable swimmer. His younger brother, Private Herbert Kirk enlisted on 15 September 1914 at Newark, he gave his age as 19 yrs and 2 months, his address as 15 Appleton Gate, Newark. He sated he was an apprentice baker and his next of kin was his mother Sophie Elizabeth Kirk of the same address. He was posted tot he 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment He embarked from Southampton on 25th February 1915 and was killed in action on 8th May 1915 .He is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, Belgium. grave reference E.89
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