Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Kirby, a general labourer, born 1835 in Packington, Leicestershire and baptised on the 19th April 1835 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and his wife Charlotte Kirby (nee Harper, married on the 22nd October 1866 in St. Peter’s Church, Marchington, Staffordshire), born 1843 in Marchington. Frederick’s father died in the 4th quarter of 1890 in Hugglescote, Leicestershire, aged 55. Frederick, a schoolboy, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1885 in Meir Heath, Staffordshire and was baptised on the 13th September 1885 in the Parish Church, Hugglescote, his siblings were Ellen, born 1867 in Packington, William, a coal miner, born 1871, George Edward, a coal miner, born 1873 and Eliza Ann, born 1876, the latter three siblings were all born in Castle Donnington, Leicestershire, Harry, a coal miner, born 1878 in Blyth Bridge, Staffordshire and Richard, a schoolboy, born 1881 in Blyth Marsh, Staffordshire, in April 1891 the family home was at Buxtons Row, Hugglescote. Frederick’s mother died in the 3rd quarter of 1900 in Hugglescote, aged 57. In March 1901 Frederick was employed as a below ground coal miner and driver and was residing in the family home at Crescent Road, Hugglescote, together with his siblings, George, a coal miner, hewer and Richard, a coal miner, shifter. In April 1911 Frederick was a Private serving with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India.
Frederick enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 20th June 1908 in Strensall, and was allotted the service number 8952. He gave his place of birth as Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and age as 23 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as miner.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
His medical examination took place in Strensall on the 20th June 1908 and recorded his apparent age as 23 years 2 months, that he was 5-feet 5⅝ inches in height, weighed 129 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36½ inches, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was black. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his brothers, George (o), The Crown, Whitwick, Leicestershire, Harry (o), 27, Collier Row, Bagworth, Leicestershire, Richard (o), Army Ordnance Corps, sister, Ellen Cross, Crescent, Hugglescote, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Strensall. 21/6/08.
Posted. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 21/6/08.
Discharged. Having joined the Regular Forces (Leics. Regt.). 20/6/09.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 21/06/08 – 20/6/09. 1 year 2 days.
Total Service. 1 year 2 days.
Frederick enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 21st June 1909 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 8767. He gave his place of birth as Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and age as 24 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as miner.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Special Reserve.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 21st June 1909 and recorded his apparent age as 24 years 2 months, that he was 5-feet 5½ inches in height, weighed 139 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 38 inches, his complexion was described as sallow, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown and his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo marks. Shamrock, Thistle and Rose outer aspect left forearm. Boxer inner aspect left forearm. Various head etc., right forearm. Scar right side back of head. He gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Leicester. 21/6/09. 22/6/09.
Shorncliffe. 23/6/09. 5/1/10.
Aldershot. 5/1/10. 7/12/10.
S.S. Plessey. 7/12/10. 28/12/10.
Belgaum. 30/12/10. 11/2/11.
Admitted. To Hospital, Madras suffering from malaria. 18/12/11.
Discharged. From Hospital, Madras. 1/1/12.
Madras. 13/12/11. 4/2/13.
Bareilly. 16/2/13. 13/3/13.
Ranikhet. 19/3/13. 29/9/13.
Admitted. To Hospital, Ranikhet, for dental treatment. 31/3/13
Admitted. To Hospital, Ranikhet, suffering from synovitis (Knee). 16/4/13.
Discharged. From Hospital, Ranikhet. 20/4/13.
Bareilly. 3/10/13. 22/5/14.
Ranikhet. 23/5/14.
Died of wounds received in action. 9/12/14.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 9 Dec-14 - (Morning Report) Nothing new to report. Scouts report sounds of digging and driving of stakes into the ground, also singing and talking going on in the trenches. Enemy appear to be very wide awake as they fire at the slightest sound. Star shells were thrown up in the night and rapid fire at once opened on the parapet. It appears to me that their procedure is different to what it used to be. They seem to sit in their trenches and fire at everything, opening rapid fire at the least provocation. Only once have a couple of men been reported as coming up to our wire. Their snipers are still excellent shots. Work done: - Parapets and loopholes repaired. Communications improved, saps continued, second line continued. Sandbags are badly wanted. (Evening Report) When Germans were fired at this afternoon German Picklehaube helmets and grey caps were waved at us but no Bosnian -?-.
On Tuesday February 9th 1915, The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER DIES FROM WOUNDS.” – Mrs. S. Cross, of 27, Crescent-road, Hugglescote, has been officially notified that her brother, Private Frederick Kirby, A Company, 2nd Leicester’s, died from wounds received in action, on the 9th December. Kirby was 29 years of age, and worked as a miner at Bagworth Colliery. On the 2nd December, writing to his sister, he mentioned receipt of a present from the “Leicester Mercury.” He said, “It was a good one. We get plenty of clothing at present, but I can assure you that we find it rather heavy with having to carry it on our backs.” “I shall be pleased when it is all over, and I think everybody else will who understands what war is like. I sent a postcard telling you I received your parcel, but I would like to add that your kindness will not be forgotten, if it ever lies in my power to do the same.” Kirby went to France with his battalion from India, where he had been stationed for three years. His brother Richard is a Sergeant in the Army Ordnance Corps at Chelmsford, and so far, has not been to the front. A third brother, Harry, now in Yorkshire, fought in the South African War, and a sister is living at Scarborough, and during the bombardment had the panes of her front door shattered, whilst a house behind hers was demolished by a shell. The deceased was a member of the 2nd Leicester’s hockey team in India, when a shield and medals were captured. He figures in a photograph of the team with the shield. Deceased, who was one of five brothers, was unmarried.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 12th, 1915

HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS

A FORMER BAGWORTH COLLIER

As briefly announced in our last issue, Mrs S. Cross, of 27 Crescent Road, Hugglescote, has been notified by the War Office that her brother, Private Frederick Kirby, of A Company, 2nd Leicesters, died from wounds received on December 9th. The deceased soldier was a son of the late Mr John Kirby, of Ellistown, having lived in this district practically all his life, and before enlisting, resided with his sister, Mrs Cross, at Crescent Road, and worked at Bagworth Colliery. He had also worked at the South Leicester and Ellistown Collieries. He was 29 years of age and had been in the army for some five or six years, the last three of which were spent in India.

Mrs Cross received a postcard from her brother bearing as recent a date as December 2nd, only seven days before he is reported to have died. On this card he thanked her for a parcel duly received and said he was very pleased with it. He added that if it was his luck to come back again he would do his utmost to repay her for her kindness. On another card Kirby wrote: “I shall be pleased when it is all over, and I think everybody else will who understands war. I will inform you from time to time how things are, but don’t get alarmed if I am a long time in writing, as I will write as soon as I can.”

The deceased’s brother Richard is also in the army, being sergeant in the Ordnance Corps and is now engaged in office work at Chelmsford. On the outbreak of war he came from South Africa and the deceased from India, both being on the water at the same time. Another brother, Harry, now in Yorkshire, fought in the South African war, coming through without a scratch. The deceased was a member of the 2nd Leicesters’ hockey team in India when a shield and medals were won and he figures in a photograph of the team with the shield. He was a cousin of Mr John Kirby, of London Road, a former member of the Coalville Urban Council.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby, 2017.