KIRKBY Francis Godfrey St John 2/Lt

The user is advised to read the FINDING AIDS document linked to this catalogue for an explanation of the method by which this record has been created and any terms used.

Surname: KIRKBY;

Forename(s): Francis Godfrey St John;

Initials: FGS;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Enlistment Date: 10-Aug-1914;

Previous Number: SS/675;

Previous Regiment: Army Service Corps;

Date of transfer to MGC: 28-Apr-1917;

MGC Unit: Unknown;

Date abroad: 27-Sep-1914;

Theatre of War: 1;

Other Data: Frank KIRKBY
Will: In the event of my death I leave the whole of my property and effects to my dear wife Emily Maud Kirkby, 100 Antill Road, Tottenham, London, N.
signed: Frank G Kirkby Sgt ASC 1/7/1915

Married Emily Maud Wench, spinster, Holy Trinity, Tottenham, 20/7/1913

Proceedings on discharge: SS/675 Cpl/A.Sjt Frank Kirkby
ASC RSPD Prees Heath 24/4/1917 Woolwich Dockyard
Age 26 yrs 3m, 5'11", born 20/1/1891 occupation - Clerk
discharged on being appointed to a commission MGC
Served: Home 10/8/14 - 26/9/14
BEF 27/9/14 - 8/3/15
Home 9/3/15 - 6/6/15
Exp Force: 7/6/15- 30/11/16
Home: 1/12/16 - 25/4/17
Casualty Form - Active Service
embarked SS Munich So'ton 7/6/15
dis. Havre 8/6/15
posted 14 Labour Coy
leave 30/3/16 - 8/4/16
from leave 11/4/16
23/11/16 to leave 11/11/16 - 20/11/16
leave extended 1/12/16 to Cadet School 20/11/16

Letter 7/12/17 re application 10/11/17 for Silver War Badge - told of regulations "and that you are medically examined and classified RR and therefore liable for re-exam. In 6m from date of rejection - it is regretted that your claim does not come within the scope of regulations"

LG 10/5/1917 : T/2Lt MGC

Letter 13/9/1917 from Kirkby to Treasurer, War Office at 36 Colsterworth Rd, Tottenham,N15:
"On 25/4/17 I was gazetted 2 Lt MGC and ordered to report to Grantham on 8/5/17. Unfortunately I had to be admitted to Kings College Hospital as a result of an accident in France and when I eventually went to my Army Agents (Holts) to draw some pay I was told that they had been ordered not to pay me until I reported for duty.
You are perhaps already acquainted with my domestic troubles and that I was gazetted out of the army on 26/6/17 for committing bigamy.
What I am writing for now is to know if my pay can be allowed me for the time elapsed whilst I was an officer. The paymaster has already sent in a claim for Hospital Stoppages and I certainly cannot pay it if I have not been credited with anything for the time I was there. No doubt you have heard that I did not report to Grantham as ordered and came to the conclusion that I was an absentee through the CO failing to let you know that I had been admitted to hospital. Etc.

Letter 4/8/1917 WarOffice to C-in-C N.Cmd, York
re: 2Lt FG Kirkby, Ref comments 5/7/17 regarding case of the above, who since the date of your communication has been convicted by Civil Powers of bigamy, I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that it has been decided that this officer is to be removed from the Army, the King having no further use for his services and notification will appear in an early Gazette. BB Cubitt.

Extract: News of the World 22/7/17: One days imprisonment, a nominal sentence, was passed by Sir Forrest Fulton at the Old Bailey upon Francis Godfrey St.John Kirkby, 26, a Lieutenant in the MGC who pleaded guilty to bigamy. The defendant volunteered on outbreak of war and subsequently obtained promotion for excellent work in the field in France. He was married in 1914, the bigamous marriage taking place in the early part of the present year. He was discharged and left the Court to rejoin the army.

Petition, Central Criminal Court 19/6/17, from HM Prison, Brixton
FGS Kirkby
Previous convictions:
14 days Tottenham PS 2/8/06 Stealing money
recogs Enfield PS 3/9/06 Stealing money
2 yrs Middx Sessions 23/11/07 Stealing money
12 m Swansea Sessions 1/7/10 stealing watch
6m Bedford Sessions 25/11/1911 housebreaking

Asks for service to be considered and to re-enlist as a private.
Sentence: 1 days imprisonment as leniancy, so that he may re-enlist. Deprived of Cmsn 11/8/17
Extract: Morning Advertiser 21/6/1917 - about bigamous marriage.

WO339/75167
_____________________________

Medal Index Card:
disembarked France 26/8/14
SWB refusal list 60
ASC Cpl ASC 19/Base Depot Supply Transport
MGC 2Lt discharged
Suspense list
removed from suspense list Min 21 WS/1/2523
medals forfeited Min 29 WS1/2523

2nd MIC:
ASC BD S&T Pte SS/675
MGC 2 Lt
medals forfeited (see above)
removed from suspense list
1914 Star RASC/19 p13;

END OF RECORD.

Users to read Finding Aids page. Further information may contain GDPR-protected information and not be released. Appointment required for access or paid research.