KIRBY, Edward James

"HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY - WOUNDED AT ASSUALT ON HIGH WOOD"

Signaller Edward James Kirby, 17743, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Died of Wounds on 22nd July 1916, sustained in actions at High Wood, on 20th July 1916.

Buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

The following is taken from the war diary of the 20th July, where Edward was hit by shrapnel & suffered a fractured skull;

"3.35am, the general assualt took place, the 20th Bde operating to the right of HIGH WOOD and not in the wood itself as originally arranged. They had order to seize 1000 yards of the road running from eastern corner of HIGH WOOD to LONGUEVAL.

XIIIth Corps were operating on the right and 33rd Division in HIGH WOOD and SWITCH TRENCH. The 20th Infantry Brigade succeeded and dug in along the road, but the attack on HIGH WOOD was not so successful . Our 2nd battalion suffered rather heavily in supporting the attack of the 33rd Division.

6.30pm, Order recieved that Battalion would be relieved by 9th Highland Light Infantry at 8am, but owing to counter attacks by Germans this was postponded by 2.5 hours.

Casualties - Killed 1, Wounded 17"

The following letters were sent to his mother, as published in the Merthyr Express;

"Dear Mrs. Kirby.

We are all deeply grieved to hear that your poor boy has succumbed to his wounds, and his comrades all join with me in tendering you our sincere sympathy in your sad loss. I feel with you especially myself, as I have children of my own, but you must take consolation in the fact that Eddie was injured in the act of faithfully and bravely doing his duty. He and two others were working a telephone in the front line trenches, when the wire was broken, probably by a shell, and whilst repairing the broken line both himself and one of the men who had accompanied him were wounded by a shell. Both had head wounds, so it was hard to tell whether they were serious or not, but both were taken to the field ambulance, and, as we have had no news since, we were hopeful that he was getting better. However, take comfort in the sure knowledge that he died a true soldier’s death, faithfully doing his duty, and from my own personal knowledge he was always brave and a good living boy in every respect. His accident occurred in the village of _ _ _ _ _ _ _during this big battle of the Somme, so you have reason to be proud, and may it afford you much consolation in the years to come. – Believe me, Dear Mrs Kirby, yours sincerely,

H. Turner (Sergt), 1/c Signals.”

“Dear Mrs. Kirby.

Just a few lines to you in answer to your letter, which I received quite safe. I was very sorry to hear of your son’s death. The news came as a great shock to me, as we were the best of friends, and a more jovial friend one could never wish to have, and I am more sorry for you, his mother, because I know how much you will miss him. He was very much liked by everyone who knew him. I was talking to him the night before he went into action, and he was cheerful as anyone. I hope your husband is now better and able to stay home with you, and if ever I have the luck to come home again I will try and come to see you, as I only live in Blaina.

With best wishes to you, from your son’s pal, E. Hoskins.”

Son of Sarah Kirby, 3 Fair View Houses, Cefn Coed

**A huge thank you Brian Roberts who has provided the photos and information on his grand uncle**