Alban Harcourt Kirby

First Name: 
Alban
Middle Name: 
Harcourt
Last Name: 
Kirby
Mother's Name: 
Isabella Kirby nee Stewart
Father's Name: 
James Kirby
Date Enlisted: 
Friday, September 4, 1914
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Company Quartermaster Sergeant
Unit: 
1st Battalion
Company: 
D
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Saturday, August 19, 1916
Place of Death: 
Pozieres, France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Alban Kirby (Service No 508) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W. around 1893.

When he enlisted at the age of 21, Alban was single, and employed as a salesman.  Previously Alban had served in the junior and senior Cadets.

Alban embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A19 Afric with D Company, 1st Battalion, on 18th October 1914, with the first contingent.

After training in Egypt he landed on Gallipoli on the morning of the 25th April.  He survived the landing and early weeks of fighting, but on 29th June 1915, Alban was admitted to hospital on Gallipoli suffering from the effects on poisonous fumes, shell shock a gun shot wound to his finger, and concussion.  He was evacuated to Egypt on 8th July for treatment and remained in Egypt, where he was promoted to  Sergeant instructor.  On 22nd March 1916 Alban was promoted to Company Quartermaster.

On 1st August 1916 he arrived in England then was sent on to France, arriving on 12th August 1916.  Alban was involved in the fighting at Pozieres; while in charge of a patrol he was shot in the chest and killed instantly on 19th August.

Alban is buried in Courcelette British Cemetery, France: Plot III, Row A, Grave 24.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, KIRBY ALBAN HARCOURT