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|He appears to be a bit of a con man . There is nothing in Births nor in censuses as Roy William Kirke. He has 2 MIC - William Kirke, and Roy William Kirke. In fact from Reading address in MIC and 1921 census, we can see that he was born Kirk, rather than Kirk, and there is indeed a baptism for William Kirk with same dob as in RIC records. Born Weybridge, Surrey.
He enlisted as William Kirke and then changed to Roy William Kirke on commissioning
1892 Apr 15. Born Surrey (on RIC)
In fact he was born William Kirk in Weybridge 15 Apr 1892
1901 census at Heath End, Weybridge
1906 Nov 28 . He enlisted. His Army record shows he altered his DOB by 2 weeks, I don't know why he joined at 14 years old, but it was possible to join as a boy soldier
1911 census, he is not with family at Kempwood, Kidmore End, Oxfordshire. He should be in Army returns
1914 Sep 7. Landed in France
1917 Oct 16. MM Gazetted to 12392 Cpl. R. W. Kirke, R. Fus. (Reading).
1918 Aug 16. Gazette MID. L/12392 Serjeant William Kirke, M.M., Royal Fusiliers (Chesterton).
1918 Jan 22. Married to Annie Gertrude Robinson in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire. She appears to be 12 years older than him
1918 Jun 2. The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts., for service in the Field: — R. Fus.—Corpl. William Kirke.
1918 Sep 28. MC. 2nd Lt. William Kirke, M.M., 2nd Bn. R. Fus. For marked gallantry and skilful leadership
in front of Ypres during the operations of
September 28th to October 2nd, 1918. On
September 28th and 29th, while commanding
his platoon, he on two occasions personally
led a rush against an enemy machine gun, and
captured the position. On the night of
September 29th he carried out, with one man,
a very skilful and bold reconnaissance and
established touch with the unit on his right
flank, sending back an invaluable report. He
showed fine courage and leadership
1919 Dec 2. 2nd Lt to be Lt. R. Fus.—W. Kirke, M.C., M.M. (since ret.).
1920 Jan 2. R. Fus.—The undermentioned retire, receiving a gratuity.: — 2nd Lt. W. Kirke, M.C., M.M.
1920 Oct 25. Joined ADRIC with service no 857. Posted to B Coy
1921 Feb 12 Posted to Depot Coy
1921 Apr 23. Promoted Section Leader.
1921 Mar 7. Posted to Coy J Coy
1921 Jun 6. Promoted Platoon Commander and Intelligence Officer.
1921 Jul 15 to 31 Jul on Leave
1921. Aug 31 .Posted to A Coy
1921 Sep 19 to 18 Oct on Leave
1922 Jan 20. Discharged on demobilisation of ADRIC
1922 Gives evidence at the compensation claim that JL French's parents brought following French's killing by the IRA
1922 Aug applies from medals. The 1921 census shows that the only occupant of 126 Elm Park Rd is Edwin Kirk was born Edwin Kirk in Oct/Dec 1897. This is his brother
1922 Sep 8. One ex-officer and ex-Auxiliary, who preferred to remain anonymous, declared to a newspaper that he had ‘nothing to eat for three days’, before a charitable organisation took pity on him. ‘The plight of many Ex-Officers: Rugby Blue’s Lodging House Address’, The Manchester Guardian, 8 September 1922, pg. 8. The officer was identified as ‘Lieutenant R.W.K., five years’ service, RIC Auxiliary Division, French and German languages.’ Kirke is the only ADTIC man who had these initials, but that does not prove it is him. He was not an ex-rugby Blue, nor had he been an officer for 5 years, but he was newer a man to go for the truth.
1923 There appears to be a child Alma P Kirke born to this marriage at at Edmonton, Essex
An email from Felicity Goodall in Mar 2024 My interest in Kirke is because I believe he is the same man who had an affair with Mea Allan (1909-82) whose biography I’m writing for The History Press. She was a pioneering Fleet Street journalist and war correspondent, wrote four novels and was known as the gardener’s biographer. At the time she knew him, Kirke was a married man with a child, she was the daughter of a Sunday school superintendent who was trying to earn a living as a writer. From Mea’s papers, I know a little about him and a couple of his letters to her have survived. There’s a suggestion that he was born in Egypt – although, as you so rightly surmise, he does seem to have been a bit of a conman so it’s hard to know whether that is true. It made me wonder whether he was an army brat and could explain why it’s difficult to find a record of his birth. He mentions being Irish and a Catholic. I too came across the court case and am certain that is the same man because of the address.
1935 Sep 7. The Rolling Ball , a play by Kirke Allan is Broadcast
1936 Nov Another play by Kirke Allan is Broadcast from Glasgow. This appears to be the last under this name. He appears to have used Kirke Allan when he and Mae Allan were collaborating in writing during their affair
1939 Living in Glasgow, and writing as Kirke Allan of Dorchester Av, Glasgow!
1941 Mar 25. A curious case which I am sure is him as all the facts interlink. It was not widely reported. It is humorous that he gave a reference as "R Kirke MC" living at 30 Dorchester Av, Glasgow, who had known him a long time. . I cannot get much on Honora Foley . I assume he was having an affair with her
His daughter Alma Patricia Kirke was living at 30 Dorchester Av, Glasgow in 1947 when she married
1947 Mar 28 His daughter married in Glasgow
1949 Mar 3. R. Fus. Lt. W. KIRKE, M.C., M.M. (127593), having .exceeded the age limit of liability to recall, ceases to belong to the Res. of Offrs., and is granted the hon. rank of Capt.
1954 May 5 His wife died Glasgow. She is described as married to Roy William Kirke, an author. She was living at 112 Dorchester Av, Glasgow. The witness was her daughter, Patricia A McLean
1963 Dec 4. Dies
2014 The daughter Alma Patricia Kirke died in Glasgow (mother Robinson , age 90)