We Remember

William Kirby

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
51291
Unit at enlistment: 
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Wounded: 
Yes
Date of death: 
February 8th, 1918
Cemetery: 
Fosse No. 10 Communal Cemetery Extension - Pas de Calais, France - III.A.13.
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Essex
Birth city: 
Forest Gate, Newham
Address at enlistment: 
133 Sydenham Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
133 Sydenham Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Dyer
Employer: 
Barber-Ellis Co.
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
30

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Died. He died of Heart Failure whilst doing duty with the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade Sanitary details.

BX February 21, 1918

Private William Kirby Died from Heart Failure

Mr. Alfred Kirby, 133 Sydenham Street, received official notice today from Ottawa that his son, Private William Kirby had been reported dead from heart disease. Private Kirby made the supreme sacrifice after a long service at the front, a service which included being mentioned in the casualty lists several times. Kirby was in New York at the outbreak of the war, and was among the first to respond to the call. He went overseas with the Princess Pats, which he joined in Montreal. He was first wounded and invalided to England, and on his next trip to France was both gassed and shell shocked. He returned to France again although he was offered his discharge, and it is thought that his shell shock weakened his heart and was directly the cause of his death, of which only meager particulars have been received. Private Kirby was unmarried. He had seen service in the British army before this war, having served in India.

BX May 15, 1915

Private William Kirby Reported Wounded

The usual official telegram from the adjutant-general at Ottawa was received in the city yesterday by Alfred Kirby, 133 Sydenham Street, announcing that his son, William Kirby, had been wounded in the fighting which took place several weeks ago at Ypres. No details were given, but particulars as soon as received were promised.

Private Kirby enlisted at Montreal with the first contingent and in order to reach the firing line sooner was transferred to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Prior to his coming to Canada from the Old Country, he had military experience in the Royal Fusiliers, having been stationed in India for seven years.

BX October 30, 1915

Private William Kirby Suffering From Shock
 
In yesterday morning's casualty list, published in Ottawa, Private William Kirby, of this city, a member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was reported as suffering from shock. Private Kirby, 133 Sydenham Street was an old soldier, having had experience in the British regular army in India, and he quickly responded to the call to arms, enlisting at Montreal. Private Kirby, who was wounded in the arm in April, was formerly employed at the Barber-Ellis factory in Brantford. He is unmarried. His brother Ernest is at present a member of the Second Dragoons' overseas company, now in training at Niagara.

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