The Fallen of World War One: James Kirkcaldy

The short life of James Kirkcaldy read out by Caroline Petherbridge.

Thanks to Harlow Council Civic Fund and HTS Ltd for their support in this project.

Thanks to all the Victoria Hall Theatre in Old Harlow.

Never Forget.

John’s parents were John Kirkaldy Sr. born in Wapping in 18531 and Harriette Gay born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk in 18622. John and Harriette married in Shoreditch, east London on 14 November 18813. John Givens Kirkaldy was born in Stepney, east London in the winter of 18824.

The 1891 census shows John, known as Givens residing in St Leonards, Hastings as a boarder
at the age of eight where he was a scholar at a Boys School. The 1901 census recorded John residing with his parents in Fellmoors, Harlow where John Snr. was working as government contractor. Also residing with them were John’s siblings Vera and Eugenie. The 1911 census shows John Jnr aged twenty-nine occupying fourteen rooms with his parents in Feltimores, Harlow and working as a marine engineer, while his father was working as a civil engineer. Also living with them were his siblings Irene, Jeanette, Anthony and Eugenie. John’s wife Ethel was also residing with the family. John married Ethel Bainbridge in St George Hanover Square, London in the winter of 19075. They had one child, a son John N Kirkaldy, born in Harlow in 19126. In 1913, Givens emigrated to Canada leaving his wife and son in England.

When the war broke out, John enlisted on 23 September 1914 at Valcartier. John arrived in France in February 1915 but was recalled to England in August of the same year. He spent the next three years in the Middle East, specialising in water purification, skills he had learnt at his father’s engineering works at Burnt Mill.

John Givens Kirkaldy was promoted to the rank of Major on 1 August 1918. He was lost at sea on 13 August 1918 whilst on the way from Cyprus to Egypt when the transport ship An-Hui was torpedoed. John was aged 35. He is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial to the Missing, Alexandria, Egypt. Register Index Number MR41.