Born in 1887 at Limehouse, son of Thomas (Paint Manufacturer) and Margaret Kirkaldy. 1891: With his parents at Charteris House Snakes Lane, Woodford Green. 1911: A Paint Manufacturer (family business) living at Croft Lodge Snakes Lane, Woodford Green. His brother was T. J. W. Kirkaldy, of Eskdaleside, Sleights, Yorkshire.
His father, Thomas had lived in Woodford for some 25 years when he died in 1915. Initially a Deacon in the Congregational Church he later worshipped at All Saints, where he was a member of the Church Council and Manager of the Hall.
Charles was a nephew of Professor Kirkaldy of Kings College London, where he studied in the Chemical Department from 1903-1908, and was successful in the Intermediate Exam of the Institute of Chemistry before entering the family business.
A pre-war member of the Artists Rifles, he was called up and having volunteered for overseas service, was sent to France in November 1914 with the rank of Lance Corporal. Following a gunnery course he was selected for a Commission and gazetted to 1 Seaforth Highlanders.
He was home for a short leave on 28th February 1915, returning to the front on 6th March 1915. He was Killed in Action leading a charge during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
He was popular and unselfish while in the Artists Rifles, displaying “a willingness to give assistance at all times without regard to his own convenience.” At the front he was described by his CO as cool, collected and fearless in action. He is also commemorated on the Sleights War Memorial near Scarborough, where his brother T J Kirkaldy was living in nearby Eskdaleside.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources:
Ancestry.com
Kings College Review June 1916