Main CPGW Record
Surname: KIRKLEY
Forename(s): Henry
Place of Birth: Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorkshire
Service No: M2/182865
Rank: A/L/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: Army Service Corps
Battalion / Unit: 402nd Mechanical Transport Coy
Division: ---
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1917-11-08
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. M. 9.
CWGC Cemetery: OXFORD ROAD CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: LINTON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Henry Kirkley was the son of Thomas and Margaret Jane Kirkley, née Moore. Thomas was born at Middlesmoor, Yorkshire and Margaret at Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham.
1891 Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorkshire Census: 42, Sun Lane - Harry Kirkley, aged 2 years, born Burley-in-Wharfedale, son of Thomas and Margaret J. Kirkley.
1901 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: 2, Hainworth Crag Road - Harry Kirkley, aged 12 years, born Burley [in] Wharfedale, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Margaret Kirkley.
1911 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: 104, Fell Lane - Harry Kirkley, aged 22 years, born Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Margaret Jane Kirkley.
Henry was married to Jennie Briddon in 1912.
Jennie died on the 27 November 1918.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Henry Kirkley, M2/182865, A.S.C. Dead.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Private Henry Kirkley, M2/182865, R.A.S.C. Died 8.11.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte (a/L/Cpl) M/2/182865, 402 M.T. Co. A.S.C. Date and Place of Death: 8.11.17. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Wife - Jennie. £6 15s. 0d. Self and children. Guardian - Thomas Kirkley. £6 0s. 0d.
A short biography of Henry is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).
Photograph courtesy of David Kirkley, Keighley.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
A/L/Corporal Henry KIRKLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Army Service Corps
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Wife and children of Henry Kirkley
- Allan (aged 3), Jennie Kirkley (née Briddon) and Winnie
All images are courtesy of David Kirkley, Keighley
Henry Kirkley, whilst employed as a bus driver at Grassington by Christopher Chapman
Henry Kirkley, whilst employed as a bus driver by Keighley Corporation Tramways (taken at Oakworth, c. 1913)
Henry Kirkley, whilst employed as a bus driver by Keighley Corporation Tramways (taken at Oakworth, c. 1913)
Private Henry Kirkley (on the right) whilst serving pre-war, in a Territorial Force battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Private Henry Kirkley whilst serving in a Territorial Force battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
- back row, 3rd from left
Army Service Corps (M. T.) Christmas card (1916)
Private Henry Kirkley is at the back (middle figure) with his hand on the soldier in front
Trench Art - bearing the names of Henry and Jennie's children
Trench Art - with the names of battles where Private Henry Kirkley was involved
Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium
CWGC Headstone
A/L/Corporal Henry Kirkley’s non-army issue identity disc
Shoulder title belonging to A/L/Corporal Henry Kirkley
Next of kin Memorial Plaque
Silk Bookmark in memory of Jennie Kirkley
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
23 November 1917
KIRKLEY – Killed in action on the Western Front, Lance-Corporal Harry Kirkley, Motor Transport Service, formerly chauffeur to Mr. C. Holdsworth, Netherside Hall, Grassington.
23 November 1917
GRASSINGTON – FORMER CHAUFFEUR KILLED
It is with regret that we record the death, in action, of Lance-Corporal Harry Kirkley, of the Motor Transport Service. The deceased, who was a native of Keighley, had lived in Grassington for some time, being employed by Mr. C. Holdsworth, J.P., of Netherside Hall, as chauffeur. He was greatly respected by all who knew him. He joined the forces about 18 months ago, being sent immediately to France. He was daily expecting to be sent home on leave when unfortunately he met his death. He leaves a widow and two little children, with whom much sympathy is felt.
A letter from his superior officer says:– “He died at his post of duty, being struck by the fragment of a shell from the effects of which he never recovered. None of the men of the column, however, were near him or saw him fall. Although I had not the pleasure of knowing him as I should have liked to – having only taken charge of the column a few days ago – I am told by all his fellow N.C.O.s and men that he was trustworthy and reliable in all his duties and a man who could ill be spared from the column. I will do what I can to see that his grave is attended to. Please accept my deepest sympathy in this your heavy loss. Not only on behalf of myself do I write, but also on behalf of his comrades who feel that they have lost in him a brother and a friend.”
08 November 1918
KIRKLEY – In loving memory of my dear husband, Lance-Corporal Harry Kirkley, M.T., A.S.C., killed at Ypres, November 8th, 1917.
No one who knew him need ever be told
That a warmer heart death never turned cold,
His loving smile, his cheerful face,
There’s none can fill my husband’s place.
From his loving Wife and little Children, Allan and Winnie, Laburnum Cottage, Grassington.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
23 November 1917
GRASSINGTON
LANCE-CORPORAL H. KIRKLEY KILLED
It is with regret that we record the death, in action, of Lance-Corpl. Harry Kirkley, of the Motor Transport Service. The deceased, who was a native of Keighley, had lived in Grassington for some time, being employed by Mr. C. Holdsworth, J.P., of Netherside Hall, as chauffeur. He was greatly respected by all who knew him. He joined the forces about 18 months ago, being sent immediately to France. He was daily expecting to be sent home on leave, when unfortunately he met his death. He leaves a widow and two little children, with whom much sympathy is felt.
A letter from his superior officer says:– “He died at his post of duty, being struck by the fragment of a shell, from the effects of which he never recovered. None of the men of the column, however, were near him or saw him fall. Although I had not the pleasure of knowing him as I should have liked to – having only taken charge of the column a few days ago – I am told by all his fellow N.C.O.’s and men that he was trustworthy and reliable in all his duties, and a man who could ill he spared from the column. I will do what I can to see that his grave is attended to. Please accept my deepest sympathy in this your heavy loss. Not only on behalf of myself do I write, but, also on behalf of his comrades, who feel that they have lot in him a brother and a friend.”
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.