Lieutenant Stephen Kirby 1 RWF - 14th February 1979

[ceedoubleu]

There is a memorial to Stephen Kirby in Whitstable

[Clive Hughes]

Here is an image I took of Steve Kirby's memorial headstone at the church in Whitstable the day it was dedicated. It's placed by the entrance to the Garden of Remembrance where his ashes were buried (no markers allowed in there). It's a CWGC style stone, but produced locally. He is also named on the Whitstable town war memorial, and on the 1979 year panel of the National Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffs. - only a few names below that of Lord Mountbatten. Gosh -where have 35 years gone?
P1030137.JPG

[Clive Hughes]

Received this not long ago: a poem written a few days after Steve Kirby's death by one of his college friends, Jonathan Hunn:

InMemoriam – S. A. Kirby Feb1979


Mild,smiling youth in the summer of life,
the Fates have made your winter come too soon
and now all your warmth has turned to ice
you lie, unhearing from within your tomb.
If I like Orpheus could sweetly sing
or the supernatural powers command
then from Hades pathless ways would I bring
you back, to share with us the harvest years
that were your due; to breathe unharmed
again and wipe away our grieving tears.


For all your gentleness and friendly way
what love did other mortals to you return?
To be killed upon St Valentines day,
such is the weird wheel the fates do turn.
That day,how heavy the heavens did seem
with grey clouds that hour by hour darker grew;
the trees sighed like a requiem theme
as Aeolian winds spun shrouds of snow
that swirled and settled then upwards flew
like tormented spirits full of sorrow.


You had a far away look in your eye
as if death had bid you join his company,
now all your worldly dreams in ashes lie
cold in the darkness of eternity.
Yet like the Grecian urn you will remain
an image of youth untouched by Time
that speaks to us of life and mocks our vain
hopes and fears which no other sermon’s teach
or book’s instruct, for now your life’s last line
has been written and silent is all speech.


Thanks to Jon for sending me this.
Clive

[ap1]

Thank you Clive, can I post this on the Forums Facebook page?

[Clive Hughes]

I'll ask the author, Al

Clive

[Clive Hughes]

Al,
Jon is happy for the piece to be posted on Facebook.

Clive

[ap1]

Pleased to report that Stephen was not forgotten yesterday. Lots of lads posting on FB in memory of him. Including the Forum.

RIP

[sixties]

Thank you Bob,

[ap1]

On the 23rd Mar 2016 the sisters of Lt Stephen Kirby RWF received The Elizabeth Cross. The ceremony took place at the Officers Mess 1RW at Tidworth. The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire in the presence of Stephens family, friends, comrades and members of the First Battalion.

[Clive Hughes]

Al,
I was there, and many thanks for posting the image. It was a dignified and emotive occasion, and the regiment was most hospitable to all concerned.

Clive