Beschreibung:

An outstanding Family Group: A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergeant Major R. G. Kirby, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was later killed in action on the Western Front, 26 July 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (9517 Sjt. R. G. Kirby, 2/Bed. R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9517 L. Cpl. R. G. Kirby, Bedf. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9517 W.O. Cl. 2. R. G. Kirby Bedf. R.) with two named card boxes of issue, extremely fine Three: Sergeant F. Kirby, Royal Artillery, who died of wounds on the Western Front, 8 August 1917 1914-15 Star (36083 Gnr. F. Kirby R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (36083 A. Sjt. F. Kirby R.A.) with three named card boxes of issue, extremely fine Four: Private C. Kirby, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was killed in action whilst serving with the 1st Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division on the Western Front, 26 October 1917 1914-15 Star (PLY. 10040 Pte. C. Kirby R.M.L.I.)’ British War and Victory Medals (PLY. 10040 Pte. C. Kirby R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (PLY. 10040 Private C. Kirby R.M.L.I.) with two named card boxes of issue, extremely fine Four: Major R. Kirby, Bedfordshire Home Guard, late Sergeant, Suffolk Regiment 1914-15 Star (2458 Pte. R. Kirby Suff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2458 Sjt. R. Kirby Suff. R.); Defence Medal, privately engraved ‘Major R. Kirby, 6th Bedfs. H.G.’, good very fine (15) £1,800-£2,200 Footnote The four men listed here were all brothers, and part of a family who had seven brothers that served with the armed forces during the Great War. This extraordinary circumstance was reported to the King George V, and a letter was written on his behalf to their mother, Mrs Elizabeth Kirby of No. 33 Alan Road, Ipswich. The letter was published as a special feature in the local paper, The Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury, 14 January 1916: ‘Madam, I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that have at the present moment seven sons serving in His Majesty’s Forces. I am commanded to express to you the King’s congratulations, and to assure you that His Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire.’ Tragically in just over a year after this letter had been published, three of the seven brothers had died during a 12 week period, as a result of action with the enemy. M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1916. Robert Gladstone Kirby was born in Felixstowe, Suffolk. He served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment on the Western Front from 6 October 1914. Kirby was wounded at Neuve Chappelle in March 1915, and having recuperated was awarded the M.M. almost certainly as a result of bravery on the Somme in July 1916. He was killed in action when his party was returning to Chateau Segard and was hit by a shell near ‘Bedford House’, 26 July 1917. Company Sergeant Major Kirby is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, France. Frank Kirby was born in Walton, near Ipswich, Suffolk. He served during the Great War with the Royal Artillery in the Egyptian theatre of war from 2 April 1915. having advanced to Sergeant, Kirby died of wounds whilst serving with the 90th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on the Western Front, 8 August 1917. Sergeant Kirby is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), France. Caleb Kirby was born in Saxmundham, near Ipswich, Suffolk in 1881. He attested for the Royal Marines in November 1899. Kirby was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in July 1915, by which stage he was serving in the Royal Naval Division. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 1st Royal Marine Battalion, R.N.D. on the Western Front, 26 October 1917. Private Kirby is buried in the Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumonth-Hamel, France. Reginald Kirby served during the Great War with the Suffolk Regiment in the French theatre of war from 18 April 1915. He was later commis