Pte 21268 Albert Kirkham

• Age: 29
• From: Darwen, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 11th October 1918
• Commemorated at: Vis-en-artois Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 3 & 4

Albert Kirkham was born in Darwen on the 04th February 1889 the son of Robert Kirkham and his wife Mary Ellen (née Whittaker) who were married on 02nd February 1878 at St Paul's Church, Hoddlesden. Robert, was a 23 year old weaver of Waterside, his father, John, was a loomer, whilst, Mary, was aged 22 of Hoddlesden, her father, Michael, was an overlooker. Albert was baptised on the 24th March 1889 also at St Paul's Church, his father, was a weaver of 9 Victoria Buildings, Waterside.

The 1891 Census finds the family living at Victoria Buildings, Leonard Terrace, Eccleshill, Blackburn. His fatherc, is 36 years of age, born 1855 in Lancashire and is a cotton weaver, whilst his, mother, is aged 35. Albert is 2 years of age and has four siblings in the household; William Thomas, is aged 11, John, is aged 9, Michael, is aged 5 and Phoebe, is aged 3. All the family were born in Darwen. 

By 1901 their address is is the same but recorded as Victoria Buildings, 6 Eccleshill, Blackburn. His father, is now aged 46, a cotton weaver born in Yate Pickup Bank, whilst his, mother, is aged 45. Albert is 12 years of age and he has four siblings and two cousins living in the household. His siblings are 21 year old William Thomas who is a cotton twister, John, is aged 19 and a fire clay labourer, Michael, is aged 15 is a cotton weaver and Phoebe Alice, is aged 13. His cousins are listed as Helen Whittaker aged 5 and Ellen Duxbury aged 4.   

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 18 London Terrace, Darwen. His father is now aged 56, and is still a Cotton Weaver, whilst his mother is aged 55. They had been married for 33 years. Their children are recorded as; William Thomas aged 31 born 1880, a loomer in a cotton mill, Michael aged 25, born 1886, Phoebe Alice aged 23, born 1888 and Albert aged 22, born 1889 all work as Weavers in the Cotton Mill. John their other son was born in 1882 and was a Fire Clay Labourer. (1901 Census) In 1911 John had left the household and was living with his wife Selina Kirkham as boarders at 211 Olive Lane, Darwen and he is now employed as a Colliery Labourer. His wife Selina was born in 1881 and was employed as a Cotton Weaver. 

Before enlisting he was a weaver employed at the Atlas Mill.

He enlisted on the 09th November 1914 in Darwen and gave his age as 24 years and nine months and occupation as a weaver. He was described as being, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 116lbs, 34” chest, of sallow complexion, had grey eyes, brown hair and stated his religion as Church of England and as his next of kin, was his father Robert, of 18 London Terrace (later his wife Emily, 26 Lightbrown Street).

His Service history survives but is very faint:-

March 1916  between the 21st and 29th he was treated in the  stationary hospital in Salonica with malaria.

His mother, Mary, passed away on the 25th April1916, aged 60.

21.07.16 - Admitted to 68 F.A. (Not.Yet.Diagnosed)

29.07.16 - Admitted to 21 Sta.Hospital, Salonica with malaria.

02.08.16 - To 29th Sta.Hospital.

26.08.16 - To 1 Conv.Dep.

07.09.16 - Rejoined unit.

09.11.16 - Class I proficiency pay attained

27.02.17 - Admitted to 66 F.A. with H.J. hand.

08.03.17 - Admitted to 3 Gen. Hospital (N.Y.D.) at Salonica.

09.03.17 - to Hosp. Ship “Dover Castle“ with Malaria.

11.03.17 - Admitted Malta.

03.04.17 - illegible

02.06.17 - illegible

11.07.17 - From All Saints(medical camp) to Hosp. Ship “Kashmir”.

15.07.17 - 2 Base D.B.

03.08.17 - In the field.

08.08.17 - Repatriated.

19.06.18 - Embarked for France.

31.07-15.08.18 - On leave. 

Whilst on leave he married Emily Jones on the 07th August, 1918 at St James' Church, Darwen. Albert was a 29 year old Private in the King’s Liverpool Regt. of 19 Walmsley Street, his father, Robert, was a deceased weaver, whilst, Emily, was aged 28, a weaver of 27 Exchange Street, her father, George, was a deceased motor driver.

13.08.18 - Transferred to 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

01.09.18 - To 66 Div Lewis Gun School

14.09.18 - Rejoined unit.

11.10.18 - Missing.

11.10.10- Died of wounds.

Albert died of his wounds on the 11^th October 1918 during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918). 

His death was reported in the Blackburn Weekly Telegraph on Saturday 26th October 1918;

Married in August.

Mrs Kirkham, of 20, Lightbown-street, Darwen, has received an intimation that her husband, Private Albert Kirkham, to whom she was married in August on his return from Salonica, has died from wounds. A lieutenant writes: "We were both wounded together, but unfortunately he died before assistance could get to him. He lived only few hours after being wounded." Kirkham was formerly a weaver at Atlas Mill, and had been in the Army four years.

He had seen service both on the eastern and western fronts. He was connected with St. John's Church, and was a member of the school football club. Three of his brothers are serving in the Army.

He was originally reported as Missing and his family made enquiries as to his whereabouts with the British Red Cross on 20th November 1918.

His death was reported in the Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry ) on Tuesday 17th December 1918;

DIED OF WOUNDS.

KING'S (LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). - Kirkham 21268 A. (Darwen); McDougall 241106 Cpl. E. A. (Liverpool).

Robert's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.  

The Vis en Artois Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.

The memorial was designed by J.R. Truelove, with sculpture by Ernest Gillick. It was unveiled by the Rt. Hon. Thomas Shaw on 4 August 1930.

He earned his three medals.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay £31 11s and £23 War Gratuity went to his wife Emily, who was awarded a War Pension of 13/9 from the 19th May, 1919. Her date of birth was the 08th March 1890, address was 20 Lightbown Street, Darwen.

Emily remarried to William Wynn on the 09th September 1920 at St James' Church, Darwen. William was a 30 year old weaver of 9 Brandwood Street, his father, Thomas, was a deceased spinner, whilst Emily was aged 30, a weaver of 27 Exchange Street, her father, George, was a deceased motor driver.

On the 1921 Census they are living at 27 Exchange Street, Darwen. William is aged 31, and is a cotton manufacturer, born in Darwen, Emily is aged 30, and is a cotton weaver, born in Manchester.

On the 1939 Register at 1 Edmund Street, Darwen, they have a son, William, born in 1922.

His widow, Emily, died, aged 80, in Blackpool.

Albert is commemorated on the Darwen Roll of Honour.

Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry member Steven Kirkham, for permission to use the phograph of Albert Kirkham now shown on the website. 

We currently have no further information on Albert Kirkham. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.