George Kirkwood
Killed In Action 9 May 1916
George Kirkwood was an engine fitter before the First World War. He was the seventh child in a family of ten children born to James and Mary Kirkwood. He grew up in New North Queen Street and Alexandra Park Avenue. His father was a joiner and each of George's siblings were employed in Belfast's important industrial landscape as joiners, platers, knitters and book keepers. Interestingly his older sister Margaret is listed as a warehouse forewoman in the 1911 census.
He joined the 14th (Young Citizens) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles which was formed in Belfast in September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. Part of the 36th Ulster Division, the battalion landed at Boulogne, France in October 1915.
Private George Kirkwood was killed only 8 months later. Mortally injured in a German bombardment, George died within three days at the dressing station at Forceville. He was aged only 22.
His name appeared in the YCV Battalion orders for the gallantry which he displayed before his death.
He is buried in the Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
“Poor Kirkwood of B Company, who died from his wounds, spoke some memorable last words: " And to think," he moaned, while being taken down Elgin Avenue on the stretcher, "And to think I shan't be able to avenge Leitch and Dorrity.”
From The Chocolate Soldiers by Steven Moore
‘B’ Company F.C., 14th Royal Irish Rifles (YCV), winners of the Regimental Cup 1915 © Royal Ulster Rifles
George Kirkwood with his sisters Charlotte and Mary Ellen © Joan Browne
George was a member of Brantwood Football Club before the war and in the army played for the Royal Irish Rifles Team. He was photographed when he was part of the winning team of the Regimental Cup in 1915 .
Two of George’s sisters, Charlotte and Mary Ellen enlisted as Red Cross nurses during the war. Charlotte was the organist in Alexandra for many decades. This photo was supplied by George's niece Joan Browne, who remains a member of Alexandra Presbyterian Church.
George's grave stands out form the others nearby wth its decorative fence and an edging of white chalk and flint stone. Words: Mark Scott. Photographer: George Hackney. © Ba Ha'i National Spiritual Assembly
An additional grave cross has been placed in front of the standard military cross. The new cross has the YCV badge burnt into it along with George's details. Words: Mark Scott. Photographer: George Hackney. © Ba Ha'i National Spiritual Assembly
George Kirkwood © Royal Ulster Rifles
Forceville Cemetery © Mark Scott
Mark Scott has written two books which include George Kirkwood:
The Man Who Shot the Great War: The Remarkable Story of George Hackney - The Belfast Soldier Who Took His Camera to War Paperback
Among the Kings: The Unknown Warrior, An Untold Story