Kibworth apppeal to track down the family of a soldier killed in the First World War

A poignant memorial plaque to the soldier from his wife has been found in a school cupboard
By Red Williams
Published 18th Nov 2021, 11:28 GMT
Updated 18th Nov 2021, 11:30 GMT
Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.
Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.

A village school is striving to track down the family of a hero soldier killed in the First World War.

Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.

Believed to be a local man, Gunner Kirby, hailed as a dear husband and father, was killed in action on the Western Front in France on May 6, 1917.

Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.
Staff at Kibworth Mead Academy in Kibworth Beauchamp are keen to trace the loved ones of Gunner Frank Herbert Kirby after finding a poignant memorial plaque from his wife saluting him in a cupboard.

The married dad, who served in the British Army’s powerful Royal Field Artillery unit, was just 26 when he made the ultimate sacrifice for king and country in the Great War.

His wife dedicated the tribute to Gunner Kirby’s “loving memory” as she personalised Laurence Binyon’s iconic poem For the Fallen to him:

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

“Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning

“We will remember them.”

You are being asked to contact the Humanities department at Kibworth Mead Academy if you can help.

You will find the secondary school’s contact details here: https://www.kibworth-tmet.uk/contact-us/

Related topics:France