A superb 29th September, 1918, penetration of the Hindenburg Line, advance on the Escaut Canal, Military Cross group of six to Major Bernard Callcott Kirk, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, his citation stating: “When all the other officers of his company had become casualties he took command and led the men forward with great gallantry and skill to objective. After a daring reconnaissance down a forward slope in full view of the enemy. He led a second very successful attack in which he captured 76 prisoners, seven machine-guns and light Trench Mortar.”
Group of 6: Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved across the arms (Cape. B. C. Kirk, N.Z.R.B.); British War and Victory Medals (57315 CAPT.B. C. KIRK, N.Z.E.F.); WW2 New Zealand War Service Medal; New Zealand Territorial Service Medal, G.V.R. (CAPT. B. C. KIRK. N.Z.G. A. (1920); New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (CAPT. B. C. KIRK. M.C. REGT of N.Z.A.), mounted court-style for display.
Condition: Minor edge bruising and contact wear Good Very Fine.
The medals displayed on a board with a brass regimental cap badge and an engraved silver plaque, “PRESENTED TO MAJOR B. C. KIRK, M.C. AS A MARK OF APPRECIATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE RENDERED 1933-36 FROM MEMBERS OF THE ISLAND BAY DISTRICT AUXILIARY OF THE W.R.S.A. 19.8.36”
Bernard Callcott Kirk was born in Wellington on 23 April, 1888. He enrolled into the Kelburn Rifles in 1906 and transferred to No. 5 Company, New Zealand Garrison Artillery in 1911, transferring next to 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles) in in 1912 and was serving with this regiment when he volunteered for New Zealand Expeditionary Force Service on 30 March, 1917.
He embarked for service in France on 31 Dec 1917 aboard H.M.N.Z.T. 99 and was posted to “A” Company, 1st New Zealand Rifle Brigade, on 16 May 1918. He was wounded in action on 26 May 1918 but elected to remain on duty and on 30 September, 1918, was was awarded the Military Cross for acts of gallantry in the field.
Military Cross London Gazette 2 December, 1918. 57315 Capt. B. C. Kirk, 1st Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade. The recommendation states:
"When all the other officers of his company had become casualties he took command and led the men forward with great gallantry and skill to the objective. After a daring reconnaissance down a forward slope in full view of the enemy. He led a second very successful attack in which he captured 76 prisoners, seven machine-guns and light Trench Mortar. His conspicuous courage and his initiative greatly contributed to our success that day."
The Official History of the New Zealand Rife Brigade stating:
"On September 29th, the front of the attack stretched from Marcoing, about four miles south-west of Cambrai away south to St. Quentin.On this day, Sunday, the Vth and IVth Corps of the Third Army opened the attack at 3.30am in the moonlight, on an eight-mile front between Venduille and Marcoing. On the right, the Fourth Army attacked two hours later on the twelve-mile front betweenHolman and Vendhuille, and the line of attack was continued in the St. Quentin sector by the FrenchFirst Army. Of the New Zealand Division (IVth Corps, Third Army), the 1st and 2nd Brigades were employed. Their attack on Welsh Ridge, La Vacquerie, and Bonavis Spur, the last of the high ground west of the canal on our front, met with marvelous success. They penetrated a distance of from 5,000 to 6,000 yards into the intricate Hindenburg system, and reached points on the Escaut Canal, capturing 1,450 prisoners, 44 guns, and hundreds of machine-guns, yet suffering only 200 casualties."
Appointed temporary Captain on 4 Oct, 1918, he was struck off strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 23 Sept, 1919, and absorbed into the 11th Regiment Taranaki Rifles with the rank of Lieutenant. Kirk transferred to the New Zealand Garrison Artillery a year later and then on 31 May, 2021, transferred to the New Zealand Artillery. He was awarded the New Zealand Territorial Service Medal in the same month. He was placed on the retired list from 17th Bty NZA on 11 June, 1928, with the rank of Captain.
Kirk later worked as a customs agent with the Ford Motor Company in Wellington. On 7 Nov 1940 he volunteered for service in WW2 with the N.M.R., but was not mobilised.
He died on 18 March 1960.