Kirkup Philip Brigadier 7992
Personnel Entry
Name Kirkup Philip
Army number 7992
Rank Brigadier
Decorations WW1 Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1915 Star. D.S.O.* Gazetted 13/9/1918 and 16/9/1918, O.B.E., M.C. Gazetted 3/6/1916, T.D. Gazetted 13/10/1920, M.i.D*. in 1940 for services with the BEF and also for services in North Africa, which second award was Gazetted in 16/9/1943.
Date of birth Birth registered Q4 1893, Cornsay Colliery, Lanchester District.
Age 65 at the time of his death.
Unit Cadet - Marlborough College Contingent, Junior Division, Officers' Training Corps. Commissioned as a Territorial Officer into the Durham Light Infantry as a 2/Lt in the 8th Battalion 18/11/1912. Commanded 7th Battalion Border Regiment 1918. Commanded 8th Bn DLI 1930. Posted Brigade HQ 25/8/1939. B.E.F. Dunkirk. Served Iceland. Acted as Iceland Force Commander while General Curtis on leave. Relinquished command 24/7/1942. Served North Africa. Appointed Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham 1/11/1942. Returned to the Energy Industry. Declared Supernumerary to Establishment as Colonel (Hon Brigadier) 11/4/1945. Retired 26/9/1950, retaining his Honorary Rank of Brigadier. Appointed Honorary Colonel of 8th DLI 1/7/1951 to 30/6/1956.
Company/Battery 70th Brigade HQ
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Brigade Commander.
Joined Brigade 25-Aug-39
Promotions Lt 31/5/1914. Temporary Captain 10/6/1915. A/Major. T/Captain 10/4/1921. Lt Colonel 23/12/1930. Temporary Major-General (Iceland) while acting as G.O.C. Honorary Brigadier 13/6/1943.
Wounded
Prisoner of War
Died/Killed in action Died 9/6/1959 in Chester-le-Street General Hospital aged 65. Probate granted 6/1/1960.
Home address Son of Philip Kirkup and Mary Anne Hodgson. Married Kathleen Scott Q2 1925, Kensington, London. Mining Engineer. Manager - Craghead Colliery. Residences - Crieff Villa, Craghead. Healyfield North Lodge, Chester-le-Street.
Source table 70BG
The family house in which Philip Kirkup was born subsequently became the Surgery for the local GP Practice (Drs Charlton).
The Citation for his award of the Distinguished Service Order - which was published in the London Gazette on 13/9/1918 - reads as follows:-
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While in command of his Battalion - holding two bridgeheads, was attacked six times by the enemy in mass. It was due to his courage, tireless energy and initiative in organising counter-attacks in the face of enormously superior numbers that time was allowed for reserves to come up and prevent a break in the line".
The Citation for the Bar to his Distinguished Service Order, published only a few days later, reads as follows:-
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night before a battle opened this officer was sent to the Field Ambulance with a temperature of 103 deg., but on hearing the barrage he left and attempted to rejoin his unit, which was impossible, so he collected all the men he could and organised a defensive position, which he held on to as long as possible. During the next two days he several times assisted in rallying men and holding up the enemy advance, and when ammunition had almost run out, he rode back and brought up small arms ammunition, riding practically into the front line with it. Throughout the whole period he did much to organise stragglers and keep them in the fighting line, being without sleep, and having little food for five days. (D.S.O. gazetted 16th September, 1918.)"
