A good Relief of Chitral, Boer War Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Johannesburg operations and Great War 1914 Star and bar trio awarded to Private W. Kirk, 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment who saw service on the North West Frontier in the operations to Relief of Chitral which lasted from 7th March to 15th August 1895 and then in South Africa during the Boer War on operations in Cape Colony and Orange Free State as well as at Johannesburg on 31st May 1900. He would be recalled for the Great War and would see service on the Western Front and in Egypt.
Group of 6: India General Service Medal 1895-1902, 1 Clasp: Relief of Chitral 1895; (2606 PTE. W. KIRK, 1ST BN. E. LANC. REGT.) Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 3 Clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg; (2606 PTE. W. KIRK. E. LANC. REGT.) King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; (2606 PTE. T. KIRK. E. LANC. REGT.) 1914 Star and clasp; (6724 PTE. T. KIRK. E. LAN. R.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (6724 PTE. W. KIRK. E. LANC. R.) Mounted loose for wear.
Condition: note incorrect initial on KSA, contact wear in places, tarnishing to the suspenders, Very Fine
William Kirk was born in Warrington, Lancaster and giving his trade as engine driver attested at Warrington on 23rd March 1889. Initially seeing service in the UK he would travel to India on 21st February 1891 and remain there until 31st January 1897 taking part in the operations leading to the relief of Chitral which lasted from 7th March to 15th August 1895.
Subsequently being transferred to the Army Reserve on 1st February 1897. He was recalled to Army Service on 18th December 1899 and would travel to South Africa on 13th January 1900 where he would take part in operations in Cape Colony and Orange Free State as well as at Johannesburg on 31st May 1900. He would return to the UK on 30th January 1902. He attested again on 15th November 1902 before being discharged upon the termination of his engagement on 14th November 1906.
Later re-attesting for the Great War on 29th August 1914 he would see service on the Western Front according to his Medal Index Card from 11th December 1914 as a Private (No. 6724) with the East Lancashire Regiment and then as a Private (No. 701828) with the Labour Corps., however, the line for the 1914-1915 Star is crossed out, and entitlement to 1914 Star confirmed on the MIC. He also later served in Egypt.