Kirkaldy, Charles Henry
Second Lieutenant Charles Henry Kirkaldy, 1ST Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. Younger son of Thomas Kirkaldy, Esq., and nephew of Professor Kirkaldy of King's College. Killed at Neuve Chapelle, aged 28.
Lieutenant Kirkaldy was in the Artists' Rifles for some years and, at the outbreak of war, was called up. He volunteered for foreign service and went to France in November having in the meantime been promoted Lance Corporal. After a course of training at the Gunnery School of Instruction he was selected for a commission and was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.
He came home on short leave on February 28th, returning to the front on Friday, March 6th, and was killed whilst leading a charge on the German trenches at Neuve Chapelle on March 10th.
Lieutenant Kirkaldy was a student in the Chemical Department form 1903-1908. Having passed the intermediate Examination of the Institute of Chemistry he left to enter his father's business into which he carried the same keen interest which he had always shewn in his college work.
He will always be held in most affectionate remembrance by all with whom he came into contact at King's College.
In the Artists he was most popular and a general favourite through his unselfishness and his willingness to give assistance at all times without regard to his own convenience.
At the front his Colonel reported that he was cool and collected in action and was absolutely fearless. "He died on the field of Honour." King's College Review, June 1916
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Kirkaldy |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Charles Henry |
| Date of birth | 1887 |
| Place of birth | Stepney District |
| Family details | Younger son of Mr and Mrs. Thomas Kirkaldy and brother of Mr. T. J. W. Kirkaldy of Eskdale Side, Sleights,. Yorks. Nephew of Prof. Kirkaldy of King's College |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1903-1908 |
| Dept / course | Science |
| Qualifications | Intermediate Exam of Institute of Chemistry |
| Military unit | Seaforth Highlanders 1st Bn. |
| Date enlisted | 1914 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Decorations / medals | 14 Star, British War and Victory Medals |
| Date of death | 10 March 1915 |
| Age at death | 28 |
| Rank at death | Second Lieutenant. |
| Place of death | Neuve Chapel |
| Cause of death | Killed in Action |
| Burial place | Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie |
| Commemoration(s) | King's College Chapel |
| Sources | King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission |