Thomas's Story.
6778 later 2221 Private Thomas Kirby died of Bright's Disease, a kidney dysfunction, at Woolwich, Kent, on 4th March 1901. He was at one time in the 4th South Wales Borderers, and then the 2nd, but is identified on the Northwich memorial as being in the 3rd. His records also show 24th Foot (South Wales Borderers). He had travelled to South Africa but was invalided home within six months.
What do we know about Thomas?
Thomas was the son of Mary Kirby, and brother to Bridget, Mary and James. He was living at 7 Cross Street, Chowbent, Lancashire in 1891 but by 1894 had moved to 4 New Street, Northwich.
He enlisted into the militia at Rochdale in 5th June 1891 aged 22, with his occupation shown as collier. His regimental number then was 6780 (later changed to 2221). On his attestation papers, he described himself as Roman Catholic. He was 5' 5" in height, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Was Thomas in the 3rd or 4th Battalion?
The 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the South Wales Borderers was embodied in January 1900 and travelled to South Africa aboard the SS Cheshire. They arrived in Cape Town in early March 1900. Thomas not part of that contingent, and it is not clear why his memorial gives his regiment as 3rd Battalion.
His military records show that he transferred from the militia to the 4th South Wales Borderers on 19th April 1894. His address then was 4 New Street, Northwich.
The 4th SWB were embodied for home service (garrison duty) with the Regular Forces, and Private Kirby's duties started with them on 2nd March 1900. Three months later, on 26th June 1900 he was posted with the 2nd South Wales Borderers to South Africa. The SS Canada left Southampton with 226 men of his battalion, calling in at Queenstown (Cobh in Ireland) to embark more troops. His ship arrived in Cape Town on 17th July.
Within the year, Thomas was invalided home, travelling aboard the SS Moor, which left Cape Town on November 14th 1900. Thomas disembarked at Southampton on 4th December 1900.
Thomas died of Bright's disease on 4th March 1901 in Woolwich, Kent. He was buried on 7th March in the Greenwich registration district. (Bright's disease, also known as glomerulonephritis, is kidney dysfunction.) Thomas was not married, and his next of kin was his brother James, who lived in Northwich. However, the Deceased Soldier's Effects record gives his next of kin as his mother Mary, and sisters Mary and Bridget ...
Memorial
Private Thomas Kirby is remembered on the memorial plaque in Northwich. HIs name was probably put forward by his brother James, who may have misrembered the details of his regiment, or been confused by the transfers from one battalion to another.
Newspaper 1906
Plaque now sited at St Helen's Church, Witton, Northwich
If you have any further information which can shed light on the different regimental numbers assigned to Thomas Kirby, and the various battalions in which he served, please contact Cheshire Roll.
Researched by Shena Lewington (November 2025)
What do we know about Thomas?
Thomas was the son of Mary Kirby, and brother to Bridget, Mary and James. He was living at 7 Cross Street, Chowbent, Lancashire in 1891 but by 1894 had moved to 4 New Street, Northwich.
He enlisted into the militia at Rochdale in 5th June 1891 aged 22, with his occupation shown as collier. His regimental number then was 6780 (later changed to 2221). On his attestation papers, he described himself as Roman Catholic. He was 5' 5" in height, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Was Thomas in the 3rd or 4th Battalion?
The 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the South Wales Borderers was embodied in January 1900 and travelled to South Africa aboard the SS Cheshire. They arrived in Cape Town in early March 1900. Thomas not part of that contingent, and it is not clear why his memorial gives his regiment as 3rd Battalion.
His military records show that he transferred from the militia to the 4th South Wales Borderers on 19th April 1894. His address then was 4 New Street, Northwich.
The 4th SWB were embodied for home service (garrison duty) with the Regular Forces, and Private Kirby's duties started with them on 2nd March 1900. Three months later, on 26th June 1900 he was posted with the 2nd South Wales Borderers to South Africa. The SS Canada left Southampton with 226 men of his battalion, calling in at Queenstown (Cobh in Ireland) to embark more troops. His ship arrived in Cape Town on 17th July.
Within the year, Thomas was invalided home, travelling aboard the SS Moor, which left Cape Town on November 14th 1900. Thomas disembarked at Southampton on 4th December 1900.
Thomas died of Bright's disease on 4th March 1901 in Woolwich, Kent. He was buried on 7th March in the Greenwich registration district. (Bright's disease, also known as glomerulonephritis, is kidney dysfunction.) Thomas was not married, and his next of kin was his brother James, who lived in Northwich. However, the Deceased Soldier's Effects record gives his next of kin as his mother Mary, and sisters Mary and Bridget ...
Memorial
Private Thomas Kirby is remembered on the memorial plaque in Northwich. HIs name was probably put forward by his brother James, who may have misrembered the details of his regiment, or been confused by the transfers from one battalion to another.
Newspaper 1906
Plaque now sited at St Helen's Church, Witton, Northwich
If you have any further information which can shed light on the different regimental numbers assigned to Thomas Kirby, and the various battalions in which he served, please contact Cheshire Roll.
Researched by Shena Lewington (November 2025)