KIRKBY, Otto Athol
| Service Numbers: | 185, W48166 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 August 1914, Blackboy Hill, WA |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 1st (NSW) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
| Born: | Moree, NSW, 9 September 1895 |
| Home Town: | Kalgoorlie, Kalgoorlie/Boulder, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Kalgoorlie, WA |
| Occupation: | Shop Assistant |
| Died: | Perth Western Australia, 27 June 1961, aged 65 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Crematorium Rose Gardens Garden P Gravesite 0090 |
| Memorials: | Boulder Goldfields First Enlistments WWI Roll of Honor, Kalgoorlie Central School Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 185, 3rd Field Ambulance, Blackboy Hill, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1914: | Embarked Private, 185, 3rd Field Ambulance, HMAT Medic, Fremantle | |
| 2 Nov 1914: | Involvement Private, 185, 3rd Field Ambulance, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Jun 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, 'During the operations 26th September, 1917, this N.C.O. performed excellent work organising the evacuation of the wounded from the A.A.P. in HANEBECK VALLEY, east of YPRES, whereby their removal was carried out with the least possible delay.' Second description reads: 'In the evening of 24th April, 1918, North of CACHY near VILLERS BRETONNEUX this N.C.O. was in charge of "A" Section Bearers of this Unit. Extra Bearers were rushed forward and a line of evacuation had to be established. Sergeant KIRKBY did splendid work in the organisation of bearer relays and in supervising their work. Later horse ambulances were brought up and he superintended the establishment of loading posts showing both initiative and judgment in working the wagons forward thereby setting free more bearers for the more advanced line of evacuation. He at all times showed an utter disregard for personal danger.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 1 Date: 2 January 1919 |
World War 2 Service
| 18 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, W48166, 1st (NSW) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Date unknown: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, W48166, 1st (NSW) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
Help us honour Otto Athol Kirkby's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Sergeant Otto Athol Kirkby (185) was born at Moree N.S.W. and educated at Kalgoorlie. He is 24 years of age, and is a son of Ernest and Sarah Kirkby. He enlisted at Kalgoorlie in August, 1914, and embarked on the Medic with the 1st Australan contingent. He completed his training at Mena Camp, Egypt, and then proceeded to Gallipoli. He was wounded at the landing and also at Lone Pine. On his recovery he rejoined his battalion, and was with them until the evacuation, when he was drafted to France. He went through the whole of the Somme campaign, until he came home on Anzac furlough in 1918. While on furlough the Armistice was signed, so he was discharged front the A.I.F. He was awarded the M.M. it Villers Bretonneux. He also has a brother who served in the 11th Battalion.
Military Medal
'During the operations 26th September, 1917, this N.C.O. performed excellent work organising the evacuation of the wounded from the A.A.P. in HANEBECK VALLEY, east of YPRES, whereby their removal was carried out with the least possible delay.' Second description reads: 'In the evening of 24th April, 1918, North of CACHY near VILLERS BRETONNEUX this N.C.O. was in charge of "A" Section Bearers of this Unit. Extra Bearers were rushed forward and a line of evacuation had to be established. Sergeant KIRKBY did splendid work in the organisation of bearer relays and in supervising their work. Later horse ambulances were brought up and he superintended the establishment of loading posts showing both initiative and judgment in working the wagons forward thereby setting free more bearers for the more advanced line of evacuation. He at all times showed an utter disregard for personal danger.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 1
Date: 2 January 1919
Husband of Olive Marion KIRKBY, Sixth Avenue, Inglewood, WA
Click images to start slideshow.