James Kirk VC

James Kirk was born on 27 January 1897 and was a second lieutenant from the 10th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and devotion to duty near Ors in northern France. His actions prevented many casualties and enabled men from his battalion to cross a bridge before it was eventually destroyed. He was killed in action on 4 November 1918.

James is buried alongside the poet Wilfred Owen who served with him in the 2nd Battalion and was also killed during the crossing. They are buried in the Ors Communal Cemetery, France. The parents of James Kirk were presented with their son’s posthumous Victoria Cross by King George V in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace on 1st March 1919.

James Kirk’s citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on the 4th November 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.

James Kirk’s commemorative service will be held on Sunday 4 November at 10:30am at the Cheadle Hulme War Memorial. Laying wreaths and unveiling the paving stone will be The Deputy Mayor of Stockport, the family of James Kirk, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and The Royal British Legion.