British Victoria Cross recipient. Frank Kirby was born in Thame in Oxfordshire, and was educated at Alleyn's School in Dulwich, South London. In 1892, he enlisted in the Royal Engineers, and served as a Corporal in the Boer War of 1899-1902. In March 1900, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for blowing up the railway at Bloemfontein. He was awarded the Victoria Cross from the future King George V at a ceremony in Cape Town, following an incident on the 2nd June 1900, near the railway at Delagoa Bay on the Indian Ocean. A small party of British soldiers were being pursued by a large attachment of Boers, and were forced to retreat. One soldier's horse had been shot and he was running to keep up with his comrades. Corporal Kirby rode back and managed to get the man up on his horse and back to safety, although they were under very heavy fire at close range. The following month, he was promoted in the field by Field Marshal Roberts to Troop Sergeant. In 1909, he married Kate Jolly; they had two sons and two daughters. In April 1911, he received his Commission as a Lieutenant; and, the following year, was gazetted to the Royal Flying Corps, becoming a Squadron Commander. During the First World War, he was given his Captaincy in the field and was, later, promoted to temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. The pictures show the approximate position in Streatham Vale Cemetery where his ashes were scattered. There is no memorial to him there, but there is one at St. Barbara's Garrison Church in Chatham, Kent.
British Victoria Cross recipient. Frank Kirby was born in Thame in Oxfordshire, and was educated at Alleyn's School in Dulwich, South London. In 1892, he enlisted in the Royal Engineers, and served as a Corporal in the Boer War of 1899-1902. In March 1900, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for blowing up the railway at Bloemfontein. He was awarded the Victoria Cross from the future King George V at a ceremony in Cape Town, following an incident on the 2nd June 1900, near the railway at Delagoa Bay on the Indian Ocean. A small party of British soldiers were being pursued by a large attachment of Boers, and were forced to retreat. One soldier's horse had been shot and he was running to keep up with his comrades. Corporal Kirby rode back and managed to get the man up on his horse and back to safety, although they were under very heavy fire at close range. The following month, he was promoted in the field by Field Marshal Roberts to Troop Sergeant. In 1909, he married Kate Jolly; they had two sons and two daughters. In April 1911, he received his Commission as a Lieutenant; and, the following year, was gazetted to the Royal Flying Corps, becoming a Squadron Commander. During the First World War, he was given his Captaincy in the field and was, later, promoted to temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. The pictures show the approximate position in Streatham Vale Cemetery where his ashes were scattered. There is no memorial to him there, but there is one at St. Barbara's Garrison Church in Chatham, Kent.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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