Newspaper

On Saturday last night, the members of the Birtley Heroes’ Committee made their second presentation in a month. This was to Captain Philip Kirkup, the youngest son of Mr P Kirkup of Leafield House, acting adjutant of the 8th DLI, who has been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished services. The presentation took place at the Royal Picture Hall, and Mr M McCarthy presided over a very large attendance. The committee, accompanied by the members of the St. Joseph’s Band, met Captain Kirkup, at Leafield, and marched to the hall in procession.

The chairman said that committee was formed to recognise in a tangible way the men from the town who won distinction, and to give a right good welcome to the boys when they came home (Applause) They also proposed to do what they could to help any soldier who was likely to be thrown on the scrap-heap. They had already made presentations to two seaman, Leighton and Laidlaw, and he was glad they were now to make one to a soldier. He hopes it would not be the last they had to make. He had known Captain Kirkup since he was a boy, and he had never expected he would be a soldier, but he had heard of his doings, which proved every inch a soldier and a gentleman. (Applause) He was one of the first Territorials who volunteered for foreign services, and in consequence practically all the Birtley lads volunteered at the same time.

Mr JR Wilkinson then made the presentation, which consisted of a gold watch and chain. He said before there was any thought of distinction for their hero of that day his reputation had found its way to Birtley. Some of the men who had fought with him who came home on leave had spoken most highly of him, and showed that he was a soldier and that he had played the man. One man said to him “Young Phil will be respected in Birtley as long as Birtley is Birtley.” (Loud applause) When the war broke out Mr Kirkup was Second Lieutenant but it was not long before he was Captain, but just recently he had been gazetted a full Captain in the British Regular Army, and he would retain that rank even after he left the army, if he did not climb higher. A soldier told him on one occasion Captain Kirkup and part of his company were in a very tight place. The Germans had the range with their big guns, and shells were falling with great regularity, But Captain Kirkup got them out of the difficulty and they were all saved. He had, however, character as well as reputation, and he had proved this by his uprightness and bravery. There was no class distinctions about these presentations. They had made one to a wagon-wayman, and one to a putter Lad, and now they were making a presentation to the colliery manager. In making that presentation on behalf of the people of Birtley they knew Captain Kirkup would look upon it and remember the part he played in the great crisis. (Loud applause) He then handed over the watch and chain, the former being suitably inscribed.

Mr B Bolam, JP, also spoke. He had great pleasure in saying a few words of welcome to Captain Kirkup. He was of opinion that Captain Kirkup himself, however, would rather face a battalion of Germans than that audience. (Laughter) He would like him to feel at home and that it was a pleasure and gratification of everybody present to see him, both on his own account, and for his gallantry and manliness. He remembered during the first few days of the war, and the mobilisation of the Territorials, seeing Lieutenant Kirkup and his men at Birtley station, and because he was cheerful and full of spirits his men were full of life and good spirits. Since then he had grown about six inches and looked well. He seemed to thrive on hardship, and that was the nature and spirit of the British Army. He saw the 8th DLI leave Newcastle, and it was a great sorrow to hear of the disaster that overtook them almost as soon as they reached France, but they knew that the 8th DLI helped and were a factor in stemming the rush of the Germans at a critical time. It was very gratifying to the people of Birtley to hear of the honour he had won, and still more to learn of the further advance he made in the army. If ever there was a time when the British Empire had a right to be proud of her sons it was at the present day, while they might say the same about the daughters of the empire. It made one proud to be a Britisher, to realise the way all our people had rallied around to defend the right and the honour of our Empire. What was true of the men was true of the women. What brave women we have got. He hoped the great unity that had been exhibited during the war would continue afterwards, and that there would be an abiding brotherhood among the sons and daughters of Britain. (Applause) He wish Captain Kirkup long life to wear his distinction, and to rise still further in the army, and that he would return with the men from Birtley, when the people of the township would give them all a welcome of which they were worthy. (Loud applause)

Captain Kirkup, who on rising to reply, received a most magnificent ovation, and musical honours, thanked the people of Birtley for the present. He could not say he would rather face a German battalion than that audience, but he would rather be on his horse in front of his own battalion. The watch would always rank as a memento of one of the greatest scenes of his life. (Applause) He could not have accomplished what he had done without the assistance of his men. He thought he knew his men before he went to France, and he had a good right to think so, as he had lived pretty close with them for several months, but he found that when he went to France he had not known them nearly as well as he then got to know them. Someday, perhaps, he should have the pleasure of thanking his men all together for what they had done for him. Some of course were prisoners in Germany, some had been wounded, and he had never seen them since, some were killed, and a few, very few, he still had left. He had often wished to have the opportunity of speaking to the ladies and gentleman of Birtley, and he wanted to speak to them on behalf of his men. When the Battalion went out to France supplies were not nearly so plentiful as they now are. Supplies were difficult and times were hard, but up stepped the people of Birtley, and they sent clothes, food, cigarettes, etc. which were all distributed amongst the men of the company, and were very much appreciated. So well were the Birtley men looked after by their people at home that it was a subject of remark throughout the battalion. (Applause) He also wished to thank the members of the Ouston E Pit for having sent Christmas gifts, which were very much appreciated. He wished to thank them very much on behalf of his men. The socks that were sent by the townspeople were very welcome. They were then having stationary trench warfare, an offensive warfare such as is going on at present. The men had very wet feet, and nothing could have been better for them than to get these socks. He did not think it would have been possible to have carried on such an army as was raised to such a great dimension in such a short time had the people not come forward in the way that they did, and helped while the Government was organising supplies. He thanked them very much for the presentation.

A programme of music was contributed by the following: The Misses Watson and Shield, Madam Dora Cooper, Mr Gentry and Mr Stephenson.

Date: 2-Feb-1917

Author: Chester-le-Street Chronicle

Where to find this: The newspaper is available to buy on disc from Chester-le-Street Heritage Group

Contributed by Durham County Record Office