Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 35551 George Frederick Kirkman

Age: 30
From: Bolton, Lancs
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
Died Sunday 17th November 1918
Commemorated at: Heaton Cem Bolton Lancs
Panel Ref: 2.T.CE.85

George Frederick Kirkman was born in the June quarter of 1888, the eldest son of Reuben Kirkman and Annie Maude (née Entwisle). Reuben, from Bolton, and Annie, from Blackburn, married in 1887 and had four children. George had younger siblings Walter Entwisle, born in 1892, Reuben Philip 1895-98, and Agnes Annie, born in 1898.

In 1891 his parents are living at 144 Radcliffe Road, Tonge with Haulgh, Bolton, with George, age 2, and a domestic servant.

By 1901 they have moved to 180 Morris Green Lane, Bolton, with three children and a domestic servant. His father, 37, is a grocer’s traveller, his mother is 36, George is 12.

The 1911 census finds them at 33 Lever Edge Lane, with a domestic servant. His father, 47, is a commercial traveller for a grocery, his mother is 46, George is 22, a loan office manager, Walter is 18, a commercial traveller like his father, Agnes is 13, at school.

Prior to the war he was a Director of a clothing company. He was a member of Great Lever Golf Club

He enlisted on 11^th December 1915 at Knowsley Park, Prescot joining the 21st Reserve Battallion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 35551. He embarked to France on 14th July 1916 with the 17th Battalion K.L.R. He was attached to the 8th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 24th July 1916. On 28th August 1916 he was wounded after receiving gunshot wounds to his right wrist and right buttock. On 04th September he returned to the UK via the hospital ship "Stad Antwerppen". He was hospitalised from 04th October - 27th October 1916 at Tunbridge Wells. Upon his return to duty he was posted to the 3rd Battalion on 14th November 1916. He was subsequently transferred to the 23rd Battalion on 14th March 1917. He then served in the 551st Home Service Employment Company as Private 193359 from 30th June 1917. He was appointed acting Corporal on 25th october 1917. He joined the the 557th Employment Company on 09th February 1918 and was posted to the Labour Corps on 22nd July 1918 as Corporal. He died on the 17th November 1918, aged 30, at Neath Military Hospital of Influenza aged 30. He had been in charge of Port Talbot Prisoner of War Camp. The primary cause of death was influenza, and secondary syncope.

George Frederick now rests at Heaton Cemetery, Bolton.

There are 216 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

He is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour at the Central Grade Higher School and Bolton Conservative Club.

Medal roll shows his rank as a Private, but pension card shows Acting Corporal and Soldiers’ Effects shows Corporal. CWGC Graves Registration form shows, “K.R.R. Att.Labour Corps”.

Probate was granted to his father Reuben, a commercial traveller, effects £373-19s-1d.

His father also received his personal belonings which included; Correspondence, a gold ring, railway voucher, receipt for tobacco, penknife, pencil and a cap badge.

His brother Walter enlisted on 2/9/1914, served as Pte. 16530, K.L.R., and was discharged with sickness on 11/9/1916.

His mother died one month before George, in October 1918, age 53. His father received George’s effects, including a War Gratuity of £16-10s. His sister Annie received a Gratuity of £42-9s-4d. His father died in 1934 aged 70.

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

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(110 Years this day)
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Friday 17th August 1917.
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Friday 17th August 1917.
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