| Regimental number | 27305 |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs M J Kirk, Marston Street, Timaru, Canterbury |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 17th Reinforcements, J Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 64 Devon on |
| Final rank | Private |
| Final unit | 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 22 |
| Place of burial | Marcoing British Cemetery (Plot II, Row E, Grave No 5), near Cambrai, France |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Herbert Edward and Mary J Kirk, Marston Street, Timaru, Canterbury |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At 9am on 5th April 1918, in the trenches near Auchonvillers, Private Kirk was on duty as a Company runner. Preparing for an attack, the enemy put down a terrific artillery barrage, and in consequence all communication between the Company and Battalion Headquarters was soon out. When it was necessary that the Company Commander should report on the situation, Private Kirk was entrusted with a message for the Battalion Commander, The artillery barrage still continued, but Private Kirk, with utter disregard for his own safety, carried the message across half a mile of open country and delivered it at Battalion Headquarters. There he received some written orders to convey to his Company Commander, and without hesitation returned through the barrage to the trenches. Throughout the day he continued with his work, and his courage and devotion to duty could hardly be over-estimated.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 20 |