57483: Grave of James Kirk, V.C., Ors Community Cemetery, France

Second Lieutenant James Kirk, 10th attached 2nd Bn Manchester Regiment, was also killed in action with Wilfred Owen. His gravestone is the last in the line of gravestones which also contains Owen's."
The London Gazette No. 31108, dated 3 January 1919 reports he won the V.C: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th November 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.