'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: 29 August 1918

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 25 September 1916
Final rank	Private
Final unit	1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Military Medal
Fate	Killed in Action 8 October 1918
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: 29 August 1918
Other details	War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 20