Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Kirby, a foreman boot trade finisher, born in the October quarter of 1864 in Burbage, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th December 1864 in Burbage (son of John Kirby, 1830-1900 and Sarah Chamberlain, 1831-1919) and his wife Sarah Jane Kirby (nee Brown, married in the October quarter of 1886 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district), born on the 12th July 1861 in Burbage (daughter of John Brown, 1834 and Prudence Foxon, 1835). George Stanley was born in the January quarter of 1892 in Burbage and baptised on the 3rd April 1892 in Burbage, his siblings were, Lilian, a boot trade machinist, born on the 9th August 1888 and baptised on the 30th September 1888 in Burbage, Mabel, born on the 2nd March 1890 and baptised on the 4th May 1890 in Burbage, Doris, born on the 9th August 1896 and baptised on the 6th September 1896 in Burbage and Gladys, born in the April quarter of 1901 and baptised on the 19th May 1901 in Burbage, all his siblings were born in Burbage, in March 1901 the family home was at 20, Windsor Street, Burbage. George’s sister Doris, died in the October quarter of 1901 in Burbage. In April 1911 George was employed as a hosiery trade worker, and was residing in the family home at 1, Salem Road, Burbage, together with his father, nursery labourer, his mother and siblings, Lilian a griswold hosiery worker, Mabel, a hosiery trade winder and Doris a hosiery trade welter.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 18th November 1914 in Hinckley, and was allotted the regimental service number 3365.
His medical examination took place in Hinckley on the 18th November 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 22 years 300 days, that he was 5-feet 8 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches, his vision was described as normal and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 18/11/14.
Posted. To 5th (Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 18/11/14.
Transferred. To 8th Bn. Machine Gun Corps. Pte. Allotted regimental service no. 53635. 24/8/16.
Embarked. From Folkestone. 25/9/16.
Disembarked. In Boulogne. 25/9/16.
Joined. Infantry Brigade Base Depot, Camiers. 26/9/16
Posted. To 114th Company. Machine Gun Corps. Pte. 9/10/16.
Joined. 114th Company, Machine Gun Corps. In the Field. 9/10/16.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 1/2/17.
To Hospital. In the Field. 14/5/17.
Admitted. To 129th Field Ambulance. P.U.O. (Pyrexia of unknown or uncertain origin) In the Field. 18/5/17.
Transferred. To 38th Divisional Rest Station. In the Field. 23/5/17.
To Duty. In the Field. 23/5/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 4/6/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 18/11/14 – 24/9/16. 1 year 312 days.
France. 25/9/16 – 4/6/17. 253 days.
Total Service. 2 years 200 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 10th April 1919, George’s mother Sarah, was awarded a weekly Army Pension of five shillings, backdated to the 6th November 1918.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 1-2 Jun-17 – IN THE FIELD. Company in position in the LANCASHIRE FARM sector YPRES SALIENT actively employed in the construction of forward barrage Battery positions.
The War Diary records: 3 Jun-17 – IN THE FIELD. Enemy bombarded area with Tear Shells. This had the effect of making one very sick, other than the usual results from Tear Shells.
The War Diary records: 4-5-6-7 Jun-17 – IN THE FIELD. Eight Guns emplaced nightly, (4000 rounds per Gun) on harassing enemy lines and communication lines, in co-operation with 38th Division Artillery and 8th Corps Heavies.
The War Diary records: 7 Jun-17 - IN THE FIELD. Enemy retaliation for continual harassing fire, caused a gun to be knocked out and 3 casualties in one of our positions.
On Saturday June 30th 1917, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – HINCKLEY DISTRICT CASUALTIES. Private Stanley Kirby, only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Kirby, of Salem Road, Burbage, died in action on June 9th. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church Choir and Male Voice Choir.