Sapper Robert John Kirkham

SAPPER ROBERT JOHN KIRKHAM 2480 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

Robert John Kirkham was the fifth child of Walter and Emmeline Kirkham and born on November 15, 1891 in Newcastle Street, Stockton, NSW.

His father Walter arrived in Rockhampton, Queensland in 1878 aboard the ship Kapunda and his mother Miss Emmeline Prestidge embarked from the Earl Dalhousie in 1879 in Brisbane, Qld. They were married at St Michael’s Church of England in Sydney, NSW on March 15, 1882.

Children from this union were William James (1882- Sydney), Walter George (1885-Newcastle), Edwin Victor (1886-Stockton), Louisa Emmeline (1889-Stockton), Robert John (1891-Stockton), Stanley James (1894- Wickham), Arthur Ernest (1897-Blackall) and Emmeline (1900-Mt Morgan).

Emmeline Kirkham died after childbirth in August 1900 and her husband Walter died almost three years later in July 1903 and were interred in the Mount Morgan Robert John Kirkham cemetery. Photo courtesy of Rex Kirkham (Nephew) Their older sons were able to support themselves working in the Mount Morgan mines but the younger children Robert, Stanley, Arthur and Emmeline went to live in Winton, Qld with their aunt, Walter’s sister, Mrs Louisa Patterson and her family.

Robert remained with the Paterson family in Winton until he was old enough to join his elder brothers at Mount Morgan, entering the mining industry. It is not known how long he remained in Mount Morgan but pursued the mining to Forest, Tasmania.

On January 18, 1916 the young miner enlisted at Claremont, Tasmania giving his age as twenty-eight years and forms of Attestation were filled out. The following day he passed the medical examination and signed and took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’. Personal details from the forms reveal he was 183cms (6ft) tall and weighed 79kgs (174lbs) with a chest expansion of 92-102cms (36-40ins). Fair was his complexion with blue eyes and auburn hair. Distinctive marks were several scars on his right knee and small scars on the outside of his left leg. Presbyterian was his religion and his eldest brother William Kirkham of Casina [Casino], NSW was nominated as next-of-kin. His birthplace was given as Victoria.

Basic training would have commenced almost immediately after enlistment possibly at Claremont Camp, Tasmania. He was assigned to the 2nd Reinforcements Mining Corps in the rank of Sapper and although given the numbers of 2255 and 2575 during training, 2480 became his allotted regimental number.

It is not recorded when the eleven volunteers from Tasmania travelled to Sydney, NSW to join seventy- eight from New South Wales, forty Victorians, forty-three West Australians, six Queenslanders and two South Australians who were brought together to make up the 2nd Reinforcements.

The Reinforcements of 180 members comprising of 3 Officers and 177 Other Ranks embarked from Sydney, NSW on March 31, 1916 on the transport HMAT A16 Star of Victoria. The ship arrived at Colombo, Ceylon on April 4, 1916 and after refuelling departed the following day. The vessel docked at the Suez, Egypt on May 3, 1916 where the Reinforcements disembarked after 33 days at sea. The weather during the voyage was cold and rough. The Star of Victoria departed the next day for Port Said and spent the day in port on May 5, 1916.

From the Suez the men were transported to Alexandria where they boarded the ship City of Edinburgh leaving on May 5 for the crossing to France. They arrived at Marseilles on May 17 and several days after arrival on May 20, Sapper Kirkham was taken sick to the 2nd Aust. General Hospital at Mousset suffering from Tonsillitis. The Reinforcements were entrained to Etaples marching into the Aust. General Base Depot on June 1, 1916.

On May 26 he was discharged to Segregation camp for a few days. By June 1 he marched into Base Depot at Etaples and was taken to No. 26 General Hospital suffering from a social disease. The following day was sent to the No. 9 Stationary Hospital at Havre and admitted with N.Y.D. (Not Yet Diagnosed) but regarded as slight for the ailment. On June 29, 1916 he left Havre on the No. 2 Aust. train and the following day he was admitted to the No. 18 General Hospital at Camiers.

After forty-nine days treatment was discharged to duty on July 19, 1916 and returned to Base Details until recovered to rejoin his unit. On August 12, 1916 he was attached to the 3rd Tunnelling Company and was taken on strength on September 30, 1916. Blue Chevrons were due at that time.

Sapper Kirkham’s War Record ends there but he continued to serve. The following is taken from the Reports of the 3rd Tunnelling Company’s operations after this date and shows some the many feats the company and its members undertook.

The London Gazette June 22, 1917: AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY ROBERT JOHN KIRKHAM

EDWARD MEDAL, SECOND CLASS DATE: 19 Feb, 1917 LOCATION: Watford OCCUPATION: Examiner, Fourth Class

WHITEHALL, 20th June, 1917

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal…

Also the Edward Medal to the 2nd Class Robert John Kirkham, Fourth Class Examiner in the Department of Munitions Inspection.

On the 6th February, 1917, Kirkham, who was working in a filling shed at Watford, noticed smoke issuing from a filled 4-inch Stokes bomb. With most commendable presence of mind and courage he picked up the bomb, threw it out of the shed and shut the door. The bomb exploded in the open with sufficient violence to project the steel head, weighing 20 ounces, a distance of 120 yards. The steel propellant container flew 50 yards in the opposite direction. But for Kirkham’s action the explosion would have occurred inside the filling shed, in which about 50 persons were working, and a quantity of explosive was stored, and it is probable that loss of life would have resulted. Kirkham was well aware of the nature of the bomb and of the destructive qualities of the explosives with which it was filled.

www.dmm.org.uk/galantry/z097.htm: UK Gallantry Section…Also the Edward Medal of the 2nd Class to Robert John Kirkham, Fourth Class Examiner in the Department of Munitions Inspection …He was deployed to the 3rd Tunnelling Co. and served in France. Information supplied by Mr Rex Kirkham - April 2014 Sapper Kirkham was reported ‘away without leave’ on January 19, 1918 by Administration Headquarters in England.

A Court of Inquiry assembled in the field on May 20, 1918 to investigate and record his absence, without leave from his duty, and the deficiency of any Army property.

The Court declared that 2480 Sapper Kirkham, 3rd Aust. Tunnelling Company illegally absented himself without leave in the field on January 19, 1918; that he is still so absent and that on January 20, 1918 he was deficient, and that he is still deficient of the following articles.

1 pr Boots, ankle 12/- 1 Fork, table /3 2 Woollen Vests 3/10 1 Hat, felt 4/- 1 Knife /3 1 Fld Dressing /5 1 Greatcoat 19/- 1Knife, clasp /10 1 Equipment comp. 15/- 2 prs Drawers 6/- 1 Holdall /3 1 Rifle 90/2? 1 Tunic P.S. 16/- 1 Housewife /5 1 Scabbard 6/8 1 pr Puttees 2/- 1 pr Laces /1 1 Bayonet 8/3 1 Breeches 12/- 1 Brush, shaving /2 1 Oil-Bottle /6? 1 Cardigan 9/- 1 Steel Helmet 4/- 1 Pull-through /6? 1 pr Braces /7 1 pr Insoles /3 1 Iodine ? 2 Shirts, flannel 7/- 1 Spoon /3 1 W.P. Sheet 4/- 1 Rifle sling 1/- 3 prs Socks 2/6 1 Toothbrush ? 2 Blankets 14/- 1 Towel /6 1 Waterbottle & carrier 1/6 1 Box Respirator 14/- 1 Satchel /6 1 Haversack 2/ ? 1 Cap, comforter /5 1 Goggles 1/- 1 Comb, hair /2 1 Gas Helmet F.N. 1/6 TOTAL £15-8-0 2 Discs identity /1 1 Razor /6

No further details are recorded until March 31, 1920 when London Headquarters issued the still illegal absentee a Statement of Service in order to discharge Sapper Kirkham from the A.I.F.

Official Discharge took place as from April 1, 1920 on account of desertion and forfeiture of all entitlements, medals and return passage to Australia were lost in consequence.

Sapper 2480 Robert John Kirkham, 3rd Tunnelling Company completed 1 year and 287 days service abroad in active participation with his company’s operations and his service totalled 2 years. No medals were awarded.

On Anzac Day, April 25, 1923 his brother William Kirkham replied from North Street, Casino, NSW to a memo received from Base Records inquiring of the whereabouts of Sapper Kirkham. William stated he did know his brother’s present address and from the information, although not quite clear to him, he had learnt ‘his brother overstayed his leave or something like that’ and did not want to penalise him by divulging his present location. Placed in the position he felt blood was thicker than water and upon their assurances there would be no punishment he would give them the information they desired. He stated that his brother was anxious to come home to Australia but owing to insufficient funds he would have brought him home long ago. No further correspondence is recorded.

© Donna Baldey 2010 Compiled with great assistance from Mr Rex Kirkham Nephew of R.J. Kirkham. During January 1916 Stanley and his older brother Robert enlisted for service abroad just eight days apart at opposite ends of the Eastern Australian continent without each others knowledge. Stanley in Townsville, Queensland and Robert in Claremont, Tasmania.

Winton, Queensland did not have a Recruiting Depot and many enlistees arrived from Western Queensland to the centres of Charters Towers or Townsville where there were Recruiting Officers who were authorised to accept applications and conduct preliminary medical examinations.

PRIVATE STANLEY JAMES KIRKHAM 5700 – 9th Battalion

The sixth child of Walter and Emmeline (nee Prestidge) Kirkham was Stanley John Kirkham who was born on June 12, 1894 at Tighs Hill, Wickham, NSW.

Following the death of his parents when he was about nine years of age he went to live in Winton, Qld with his aunt Mrs Louisa Patterson and her family. It seems he was still residing in Winton when he enlisted at the Townsville Recruiting Depot, Qld on January 10, 1916. The twenty and a half year old Labourer passed the medical examination and completed Attestation forms.

Personal information shows he was 175cms (5ft 9ins) tall and weighed 62.7kgs (138lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-89cms (33-35ins). His complexion was fair with grey eyes and brown hair. Church of England was his religious denomination. His younger brother Arthur Ernest Kirkham of Winton, Qld was nominated as his next-of-kin. He was sworn in the same day.

Acknowledgement to the departing volunteers was given Stanley James Kirkham in the Townsville Daily Bulletin on Tuesday January 11, Photo courtesy of Rex Kirkham (Nephew) 1916: NORTHERN VOLUNTEERS A large contingent of volunteers left by the Bingera on Monday for Enoggera camp, the total being 69. The following are the names and districts of the volunteers: (abridged to Winton only) Winton: George Carter, Stanley James Kirkham, William Joseph Muleahy, William James Perkins, Alfred Forbes Stokes, George Albion Thomas, Ernest Whiting, William Wilson.

Basic training commenced on January 19, 1916 with the 11th Depot Battalion at Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld and concluded on February 26 when he was transferred to ‘C Company’ for further training with the 12th Depot Battalion until April 1, 1916. He was assigned to the 18th Reinforcements to the 9th Battalion in the rank of Private with the regimental number 5700.

The 18th Reinforcements embarked from Brisbane on May 5, 1916 aboard HMAT A49 Seang Choon and arrived in Egypt in June, 1916.

In The Queenslander on June 3, 1916 the following photograph appeared of the Eighteenth Reinforcements for the Ninth Battalion, which was taken at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera before they departed Brisbane. Private Kirkham would be one of the volunteers. On July 29, 1916 the troops embarked from Alexandria on the ship Arcadian for England and marched in to the 3rd Training Brigade at Perham Downs’ camp on August 8, 1916 for further training for the front.

The men proceeded overseas to France on October 14, 1916 arriving at the Aust. General Base Depot at Etaples two days later.

He was admitted to the 24th General Hospital at Etaples on November 4, 1916 with Mumps and during the month was transferred to the 14th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne to recuperate at the 1st Convalescent Depot. He marched out to rejoin his Battalion on December 15, 1916.

Private Kirkham was taken on strength with the 9th Battalion on December 18, 1916 from the Reinforcements.

On January 21, 1917 he was admitted to the 3rd Field Ambulance with a Septic Foot and transferred to the Dressing Station. He was discharged to duty on February 10, 1917.

He was wounded in action on May 6, 1917 and taken to the 6th Field Ambulance where the next day was sent to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station. Transported on the boat A.T. to Rouen was admitted to the 1st A.G.H. with shell wounds, one noted on face. He was transferred to England from Havre on the hospital ship Grantilly Castle and entered the 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham on May 21, 1917.

After fifty days as a patient on July 9, 1917 was discharged to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford remaining eleven days until August 1st and was released when his wound had healed. Recovering without a disability he was to report to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth. Medical reports states shrapnel entered just above inner side of knee and a second piece entered his inner ankle and extracted near his Achilles. On September 12 he marched out to the No. 4 Command Depot at Codford where another report states ankle no disability – some swelling of knee – fit for training. On September 29 was sent to the Overseas Training Battalion.

The Private proceeded overseas via Southampton to Havre, France on October 24, 1917 reaching the 1st Aust Divisional Base Depot the following day. He left to rejoin his Battalion arriving five days later. On March 25, 1918 Private Stanley Kirkham was killed in action in Belgium.

He was buried in Oxford Road Cemetery, one and a half miles North East of Ypres in Plot 2, Row B, Grave No. 4.

His name appeared on the 392nd Casualty List released from the Censor’s office and an edited version was published in The Queenslander on April 27, 1918 page 10: KILLED IN ACTION Stanley James Kirkham, Winton, 25/3/18 (prev. rep. w’ded)

The British War Medal (39128) and the Victory Medal (38808) awarded to Private 5700 Stanley James Kirkham for his service were sent to his eldest brother William Kirkham, North Street, Casino, NSW.

The Memorial Plaque (341994) and Memorial Scroll (341994) presented to his family for Stanley’s supreme sacrifice were also issued to his brother.

Stanley James Kirkham is commemorated on the Winton War Memorial.

LEST WE FORGET

Donna Baldey 2010 With great assistance and photos from Rex & Jessie Kirkham www.tunnellers.net

Extracts from Letters received from Stanley from overseas. Stan wrote to his cousin Daisy (nee Patterson) from Perham Downs on 13th October 1916. He reported that he had been in hospital with Bronchitis. He was feeling the cold,...

“ It is getting very cold here now & they say it is early time yet. I don’t know what it will be like in winter...”

Stan also commented on the Conscription Referendum,..

“They are going to give the Australian soldiers a vote before they force conscription in Australia.. I can’t see myself what they want conscription for do you any way I am against it. This soldiering is not the game it is cracked up to be. You get a bit of a kid about 17 marching you about and giving you some of the silliest commands a fellow heard & if you say anything they fine you a weeks pay so sooner we get into the trenches the better...”

Stan also described a parade before the King...

“We had a march past the King about a fortnight ago their were 80,000 Australians troops their...they had the sinemetegraft to work...the picture was shown here they looked real well in the picture I believe their is 120,000 Australian troops over here now that is in France and England.”

He also reported on his imminent departure for the front,

“will be going to the front on the 15th Oct that will be Sunday. I don’t know where we are going it may be France or it may be Surlonica. I would rather go to Surlonica myself as it is warmer their.”

Stan wrote to Daisy from the Birmingham Hospital on 21st June 1917,..

“Things turned out a lot better than I expected my wounds are very nearly healed up. Today is my first day out of bed I can’t walk yet I get about in a whele chair I have had a pretty fair time here although I have Not been out of the hospital I wanted t have a look at the Birmingham Munitions works but I don’t think I will be here long enough as I am getting transferred to an Australian Hospital close to London I believe it is a place called Dartford I expect I will soon be going back to France Almost as an afterthought he added,..I am as blind as a bat in the right eye..”

His cousin Ed Patterson when writing to Daisy ( his sister) on his arrival in England early in November 1917 thought that Stan was still in a Convalescent Home in England. In a further letter to Daisy on 25 March 1918 reported that he had seen Stan,..

“ he was looking very well, but I could still see a slight scar above one eye and he says the eye is practically useless. One of his legs are also a bit stiff owing to a wound in the knee...”

The very day that Ed was writing to Daisy, Stan was Killed in Action.

Ed Patterson was given leave from the front to record in water colour the battlefields of France. Two of these paintings are in the War Memorial in Canberra, Art Collection.

Transcribed by Jessie Kirkham