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{{Otheruses|James Kirk (disambiguation)}} |
{{Otheruses|James Kirk (disambiguation)}}{{use dmy dates}} |
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'''James Kirk''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] ( |
'''James Kirk''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (27 January 1897 - 4 November 1918) was an [[England|English]] recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]. Kirk was a 21-year-old [[second lieutenant]] in the 10th Battalion, [[The Manchester Regiment]], [[British Army]], attached to the 2nd Battalion during the [[World War I|First World War]] when the actions that led to his recognition took place. |
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==Biography== |
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On [[4 November]], [[1918]], north of [[Ors]], [[France]], the battalion was attempting to bridge the [[Sambre-Oise Canal]]. To cover this difficult operation, Second Lieutenant Kirk took a Lewis gun and under intense machine-gun fire paddled across the canal and opened fire. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continued to provide cover for the bridging party until he was killed. His courage and self-sacrifice enabled two platoons to cross the bridge and prevented many casualties. |
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Born 27 January 1897 at Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire to James and Rachel Kirk. |
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<ref name=cwgc>[http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=336410 Kirk, James], Commonwealth War Graves Commission</ref> He was a [[second lieutenant]] in the 10th Battalion, [[The Manchester Regiment]]. |
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===Citation=== |
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{{quote|''For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th Nov., 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.|The London Gazette, No. 31108, 3 January 1919<ref name=cwgc/>}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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*[[Monuments to Courage]] (David Harvey, 1999) |
*[[Monuments to Courage]] (David Harvey, 1999) |
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*[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997) |
*[[The Register of the Victoria Cross]] (This England, 1997) |
Revision as of 08:41, 4 March 2009
James Kirk VC (27 January 1897 - 4 November 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross. Kirk was a 21-year-old second lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army, attached to the 2nd Battalion during the First World War when the actions that led to his recognition took place.
Biography
Born 27 January 1897 at Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire to James and Rachel Kirk. [1] He was a second lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th Nov., 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.
— The London Gazette, No. 31108, 3 January 1919[1]
References
- ^ a b Kirk, James, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Final Days 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 2000)