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 on 04th February 1889 and resided in Darwen, Lancashire. He was the son of Robert Kirkham and his wife Mary Ellen (nee Whittaker) and was baptised at St Paul's Church, Hoddlesden on 24th March 1889. His parents had married in the same church in 1878.  

The 1891 Census finds the family living at Victorian Buildings, Leonard Terrace, Eccleshill, Blackburn. His father is 36 years of age, born 1855 in Lancashire and is a Cotton Weaver, whilst his mother is 35. Albert is 2 years of age and has four siblings in the household; William Thomas is 11, John is 9, Michael is 5 and Phoebe is 3. 

By 1901 their address is is the same but recorded as Victoria Buildings, 6 Eccleshill, Blackburn. His father is now 46, whilst his mother is 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 aged 19 and a fire clay labourer, Michael aged 15 is a cotton weaver and Phoebe Alice is 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. 

He enlisted on the 09^th November, 1914 in Darwen and gave his age as 24 years and nine months and occupation as a weaver. He was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 116lbs, of sallow complexion, had grey eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. After enlisting he was sent to Seaforth, Liverpool where from the 20^th November, 1914 he was serving in the 14th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 21268 and he embarked for the Balkans leaving Marseille on the 28^th October 1915. A note states brother William was #20099 5/Manchester Regiment.

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 April,1916 aged 60.

09th Nov 1916 Class I prof. pay attained

Malaria persisted with several trips to Hospital Ships until 07th July 1917

Repatriated 08th Aug 1917

Embarked 19th June 1918 for France

31st July - 15th Aug 1918 on leave. Whilst on leave he married Emily Jones on the 07^th August, 1918

On the 13^th August 1918 he was transferred to 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment

01st Sept 1918 to 66Div L.G. school

Albert was killed in action on the 11^th October 1918 during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918). 

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

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.

Soldiers Effects to his wife Emily, who was awarded a War Pension of 13/9 from the 19^th May, 1919.

Albert is commemorated on the Darwen Roll of Honour.

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.