Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late William Michael Quirke, and Ellen Maude Quirke (nee Grace) of 22, Compton Avenue, Brighton, Sussex. Information from his service records show that on enlistment he was 24 years and 244 days, he enlisted in the General Service Corps. on a Short Service Engagement on the 11th December 1915. He was relegated to Army Service on the 12th December 1915, and posted to the Lancers of the Line on the 11th January 1916, on the 13th January 1916 he was posted to the 6th Reserve Cadet Regiment. On the 14th October 1916 he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps., being posted to the 3rd Machine Gun Squadron. On the 11th April 1917 he was posted to the 35th Depot. On the 1st August 1917 he was posted to “C” 23rd Officer Cadet Battalion. On the 27th November 1917 he was Discharged to a Commission and appointed to a Temporary Commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps. and on the 28th November 1917 was posted to the 56th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. (Infantry). The following two reports record the actions for which the Military Cross was awarded. The Times of Saturday 7th December 1918. The King has been pleased to approve of the following awards to the following Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field:- The Military Cross. Temporary 2nd Lieutenant A. S. Quirke, 56th Machine Gun Corps.—He carried forward one of his guns under a heavy and well directed machine fire, and successfully engaged an enemy gun that was particularly harassing to our advance. He set a splendid example to his men, firing one of the guns himself when six of the team had become casualties. The other notice was from the London Gazette, dated the 28th April 1919:- Temporary 2nd Lieutenant Amyas Septimus Quirke, 56th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. He carried forward one of his guns under a heavy and well directed machine fire, and successfully engaged an enemy gun that was particularly harassing to our advance. He set a splendid example to his men, firing one of the guns himself when six of the team had become casualties. (Bullecourt 29th August 1918). Family information records that his father was William Michael was born on the 29th May 1848 in Limerick, Ireland and died on the 7th May 1918 in Brighton, Sussex. He married Ellen Maude Grace on the 22nd December 1874 in Hove, Sussex. Ellen Maude Quirke was born on the 22nd October 1854 and died on the 16th April 1943. Children from the marriage were Mabel Catherine born 6th October 1875, Conal O. Cuirc born 26th December 1876, both born at York Road, Hove, East Sussex. William Dathy born 27th May 1878, Nicholas Henry born 15th March 1880, both born in Lewes, Sussex. Francis Ortho born 24th May 1882, Maude Grace born 13th February 1885 both born in West Hill Road, Brighton, East Sussex. Terence Thomas born 23rd July 1886, Raymond Fitzwilliam born 10th April 1889, Alethea Frances born 4th July 1893, Anna Olive born 27th February 1895 and Olive Blanche born 20th July 1897 all born at York Road, Hove, East Sussex.