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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 372

The Great War group of three awarded to Private J. Kirby, Shropshire Light Infantry, who was Killed in Action in France on 23 October 1914

1914 Star (7425 Pte. J. Kirby. 1/Shrops: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (7425 Pte. J. Kirby. Shrops. L.I.), light contact marks, very fine (3)

James Kirby was born at St. Stephen's, Audenshaw, Cheshire and lived with his mother Jane at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, where he worked as a labourer and was a member of the Star Field Naturalists' Society. He served in the Great War with the 1st Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry with whom he disembarked at France on 10 September 1914. Kirby was serving on the Western Front in Armentieres, France when he was killed in action on 23 October, likely in the following conflict recounted in the Regimental History:

'...and at 4:15am on the 23rd the Germans attacked in force. The brunt of the attack fell upon the K.S.L.I. and the Yorks and Lancs., and was repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. Further attacks followed in succession throughout the day without any ground being gained by the enemy. Over 200 enemy dead were counted in front of the K.S.L.I. trenches alone'.

At the time of his death Kirby had been serving with the Colours for three years and nine with the reserve. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium, and his pension was claimed by his mother; sold together with copied research, including a copy of the Stalybridge Reporter issue of 28 November 1914 which announced his death.

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Sold for
£170

Starting price
£40