Trafford

BBorn during the March quarter 1894 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/195,
the son of Frederick William & Emma Kirk (nee Spain).

In 1891, his father was residing at "Kirklington", Stamford Road, Bowdon.  
He was aged: 21 and employed as a Cotton Salesman.   He married Emma Spain
in 1893.  Emma was then employed as a School Teacher, residing at Osbourne
House, Osbourne Road, Altrincham.   Presumably they resided at
"Kirklington" a 10 roomed house and that is probably where Leopold was
born. 

1901 Census - Stamford Road, Bowdon, Cheshire.   Grandson - aged: 7 - born:
Altrincham.   Head of household - Elizabeth Kirk - Widow - aged: 56 - occ:
Lodging House Keeper - born: Bowdon.    Plus an aunt and 1 domestic
servant.
His parents - Frederick William &  Emma Kirk were residing at 4 Rutland
Mount, Leeds, Yorkshire together with their two daughters - Kathleen
H.(b.1896) and Marjorie E. (b.1897).   Frederick was employed as a 31 year
old Wood Drilling Machinist, born at Altrincham.  Emma was aged: 29 and
born at Baguley.  The two daughters were also born at Altrincham.  He
attended St. Mary's C of E School.

His father died at Leeds in 1905, aged: 35.

1911 Census - "Kirklington", Stamford Road, Bowdon.   Grandson - aged: 17 -
born: Bowdon.   Plus 1 domestic servant and 1 boarder.
His widowed mother - Emma Kirk was residing at 14 Hale Road, Altrincham
together with her two daughters and another son - Geoffrey Kirk (b.1904). 
There were two boarders at this Lodging house run by Emma, now aged: 39.

He was employed by George Richards & Co.   Member of the Altrincham PSA.

WO 363 - Enlisted into the 10th Bn, Cheshire Rgt at Altrincham on the 4th
September 1914.  He was aged: 20 years, 200 days and resided at 13 Ashfield
Road, Altrincham, employed as a Sheet Metal Fitter.   He was 5 feet 7 5/8
inches in height and weighed 119 lb.  His chest measurements were 32 inches
expanded to 34 inches  He had Blue eyes, Dark Brown hair and a Clear
complexion.   Whilst at Aldershot, he was charged with "Overstaying his
Leave" from 11.00 pm on  the 25th July 1915 until 4.00 am on the 26th, for
which he got 15 days C.B. (Confined to Barracks).

Posted to France on the 26th September 1915.    Wounded with a GSW (Gun
shot wound) on the 11th July 1916 and admitted into 104 Field Ambulance.  
Sent down to No.9 General Hospital at Rouen on the 12th.  Rejoined his
battalion in the Field on the 16th August 1916.  Admitted into No. 77 F.A.
on the 4th November 1916 suffering from Boils on his back.   Sent back to
No. 1 Canadian CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) the same day.   Admitted
into No. 25 G.H. on the 6th, returning to his battalion "In the Field" on
the 18th December 1916.

By 1918, his mother had moved to Burnham Cottage, Pavement Lane, Mobberley.
  Army Form W5080 confirms that he had 2 sisters and 1 brother.

Death reported in the 06/07/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Listed as Sergeant Fred L. on Hale Cenotaph and simply as Fred on the
Mobberley Cenotaph.

CWGC = Private - Son of Emma Kirk, of Burnham Cottage, Pavement Lane,
Mobberley and the late Frederick William Kirk.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918, which states
that he was a Signaller and lived at Barrow Cottage, Hale.

Commemorated in The Mobberley Parish Council's Booklet - "1914-2014,
Remembering the Men from Mobberley who went to War for their Country" - per
Alistair MacLeod.