Harold Kirk

Inscription on the War Memorial information board Harold Kirk (Gunner) Royal Garrison Artillery, 323rd Siege Battery, Harold Kirk was the son of William and Rose Kirk. William was the local blacksmith and farmer. Harold was 22 years of age when he was killed on 1st September 1918, in the Battle of Cambrai. He, along with other Gunners of his battery were positioning their gun, when a German shell exploded on their position. His body was never recovered or recognised. He is commemorated on the memorial at Vis-en-Artois in the Pas de Calais region of France. Harold’s rather faded army record survives and amongst the few things it reveals is that he enlisted at Sheffield on 10th December 1915 and was placed on the army reserve until mobilisation, (date unknown). On the 26 May 1918 he was admitted to hospital with effects from wounds by a gas shell and discharged back to his unit on 15 June 1918.

As Nether Langwith village is in the parish of Norton Cuckney St Mary he is named on both Norton Cuckney St Mary and Nether Langwith memorials Article published 28th September 1918 in the Derbyshire Courier :- “LANGWITH. “Gunner Harold Kirk, R.G.A., son Mr. and Mrs. Wm, Kirk, was killed in action 1 September, in France. The news is conveyed in letter sent by Battery Sgt.-Major H. Martin, who states that death was instantaneous. He was struck by a shell. “It is a great loss to the battery,” the sergt. major adds, “as he was such a cheery, willing soldier, and was liked and respected by all ranks.” Twenty-two of age, and single, Gunner Kirk enlisted in February last year, previous to which he worked at Sheffield in the munition works. In pre-war days he was an assistant for the Langwith Co-operative Society for five years. The parents have for 40 years lived Nether Langwith, but 2½ years ago they removed to Eastland Farm, Warsop. The father for many years whilst at Langwith carried on the business of blacksmith and farmer. Mr. Brown, manager at the Langwith Co-operative Society, is a brother-in-law of the deceased. The society has now lost three employes. [sic] Thirteen out of fourteen joined the colours from the society.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918