Corporal 16694 George Kirkham

Killed in Action on Sunday, 15th April 1917, age 20.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

18th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers. 104th Brigade of 35th Division.

Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Dudley, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/798577/

Genealogical Data

Birth of George Richard Kirkham registered March quarter 1897 in Dudley.

1901 Census
39 Waterloo Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Alfred Kirkham (30, Butcher, born Tipton), his wife Laura (26, born Droitwich), and their 3 children: Alfred James (5, born Sedgley), George Richard (4, born Sedgley), and Wilfred (2, born Sedgley).

1911 Census
3 Boscobel Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Alfred Kirkham (40, Journeyman Butcher, born Princes End, Tipton), his wife Laura (36, born Droitwich), and their 7 children: Alfred James (15, Driller, born Princes End, Tipton), George Richard (14, Moulder's Assistant born Princes End, Tipton), Wilfred (12, School, born Princes End, Tipton), Horace Reginald (9, School, born Tipton), Laura Beatrice (7, School, born Tipton), Albert Edward (4, born Tipton), and Lucy Mary (2, born Tipton).

Personal Data

The 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers was initially a Bantam Battalion for men who did not meet the 5 foot 3 inches height requirement for other infantry Battalions. By the end of 1916 the quality of Bantam replacements became sub-standard; in common with the other Bantam Battalions, replacements from then on were average conscripts. As George Kirkham enlisted in the 18th Battalion in approximately February 1915, it is a reasonable assumption that he was a 'true' bantam and less than 5 feet 3 inches in height.

After George's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £9/10/9d (9 pounds, 10 shillings and 9 pence); this was paid to his father, Alfred, in August 1917. His War Gratuity was £10/10/0d (10 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his father, Alfred, in November 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that George had enlisted in approximately February 1915.

A Dependant's Pension Card exists in the name of George's mother - Mrs Laura Kirkham; there is no indication that a pension was refused or that a pension was paid. It is likley that a pension of some amount was paid as her initial address was 7 Elwell Street, West Bromwich and she must have been in continuing contact as her change of address to 34b William Street West Bromwich is noted.

Action resulting in his death

On 14th April, the 18th Lancashire Fusiliers (18/LF) were ordered to relieve the 17/LF around GRICOURT, this relief was completed just after midnight.

At 4.30AM on 15th April, ‘W’ & ‘Z’ Companies advanced under cover of shell fire to attack TROIS SAUVAGE FARM located about 1000 yards east of GRICOURT. The farm was found to be occupied by about 20 Germans who were either killed on taken prisoner, and the farm captured.

‘Z’ Company began to dig in as ordered, but ‘W’ Company seeing Germans in retreat, continued their pursuit, killing or wounding around 100 of the enemy. This left them about 500 yards beyond their objective and with exposed flanks, so they were forced to pull back to the planned line and dig in.

This withdrawal led to a significant number of casualties from 2 German machine guns located about 1000 yards away in a wood. These 2 German guns were eventually silenced by 2 guns of the Machine Gun Corps by 8.30AM.

The positions were held all day, but at dusk the 18/LF were ordered to pull back to the West of TROIS SAUVAGES.

41 men of the 18/LF were killed on that day, including George Kirkham. With only one exception, they have no known grave and are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. The exception is Private Gill whose body was found in 1924 near Trois Sauvages farm, along with 3 other men of the 18/LF who could not be identified.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Post 26th December 1916
RANK AND FILE: MIDLANDS MEN.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
WOUNDED.
LANC. FUS.- Kirkham, 16694, Lce-Cpl., G., (Tipton).

Tipton Herald May 19th 1917
Cpl. G. Kirkham, Lancashire Fusiliers is officially reported killed in action.