Stuart Kirby JONES

Stuart Kirby Jones, known as Kirby, came from Wavertree, Liverpool. Born in November 1888, he was the son of the late William and Alexandrina Jones. He became a veterinary surgeon and served as a lieutenant in the AVC.

Kirby’s father was a dental surgeon in Liverpool. Kirby studied veterinary science at Liverpool University, graduating in 1911. He was already working in the Abergele area, serving a four-year apprenticeship with Rowland S. Rowlands, the Vet for Pensarn. The 1911 Census shows Kirby as a Veterinary Student boarding with Mr Rowlands at ‘The Laurels’. Shortly after the Census, in November 1911, he undertook a training course at the Army Veterinary School in Aldershot. He was gazetted to the Army Veterinary Corps Reserve and attached to 2 Dragoon Guards. He had moved to Pembroke just before the outbreak of the war, but, nevertheless, he was still remembered well in Pensarn and Abergele, and he had family in the area. His uncle, for example, was the Borough Rate Collector for Conwy.

At the outbreak of war, Kirby was appointed Veterinary Officer in charge of 25 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and posted to the Western Front. He was amongst the first to be shipped to France, disembarking there on 14 August 1914. He was involved in the Battle of Mons, the retreat from Mons, the Battle of Etreux and the Battle of the Marne. He received his fatal wounding on 15 September when the 1st Division was involved in the First Battle of the Aisne (12-15 September).

On that day, he found himself on the Moulins to Bourg Road and turned his horse to the side to take a moment to himself. From his pocket, he pulled a letter from home and began reading. Moments later, a huge German shell landed just yards away. A large fragment caught him in the thigh, shattering his leg. Seriously wounded, he was taken to the nearest Field Ambulance, which patched him up and evacuated him to the French No. 2 General Hospital near Versailles, where he later died.

Kirby’s funeral took place on 21 September. The French had reserved a section of the local cemetery for British casualties and Kirby was the first Briton to be laid to rest there. The Chaplain who conducted the service took the time to write to Kirby’s mother.

“You will have heard already from here of the death of your brave son who has given his life for his country; but I think you will like me to write and tell you of his funeral which took place this morning, September 21st. It was carried out with full military honours, and a large crowd was present of French Dragoons and infantry. A large number of French officers were also there and also the Colonel commanding and the Major of this Hospital. At the close of the service a French Colonel spoke a few touching words as to the services rendered by your son to his own country and to ours. I know, too, that you will be touched to hear that several wreaths of flowers were sent by French people here. The grave is in a beautiful cemetery on the outskirts of this town, the Cimitiares des Gonards, which lies on the slope of a hill, and is surrounded by trees. It is in a portion in the cemetery which has been reserved for the British soldiers, and will be marked with a plain wooden cross bearing your son’s name. I am enclosing a small piece of heather which I plucked this morning within a few yards of the grave. May I be allowed to express my deep sympathy with you in your sorrow? It is my earnest prayer that the God of all comforts will Himself comfort you.”

The letter was sent to Kirby’s mother by the Chaplain to the Forces stationed at Versailles.

Stuart Kirby Jones is buried beneath a standard Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone, which lists him as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.