| Captain Robert Kirby Kirkman (b 1891) - First World War Ace Page last modified Monday, 23-Aug-1999 08:21:06 MDT
Like many British fliers, Robert first served in Western Front trenches during the war's early years -- in his case with the Leicester infantry regiment. He transferred to the RFC in the summer of 1917, was posted to the 20th Squadron and piloted two-seater Bristol fighters, an aircraft equipped with machine guns that fired fore and aft. During the last half of 1917,
On March 27, 1918 Robert and his rear-seat gunner, Capt. J.H. Hedley, ran into Rittmeister Manfred von Richtofen's gaudily painted Flying Circle over Foucaucourt, France, and Robert's plane was riddled by German ace Karl Gallwitz. The Brisfit crashed behind Germans lines and Robert and Hedley were captured, uninjured, by German infantrymen. Several von Richtofen biographies allege Kirkman and Hedley were the Red Baron's 72nd victory, but the British World War Association reports they were gunned down by Gallwitz, a 10-victory member of the Baron's Jagdgeschwader (combat group). Family lore holds Robert and Hedley met von Richtofen at his airdrome before they were shipped to a P.O.W. camp. Robert and his gunner were repatriated to England on Dec. 17, 1918. Robert was the son of William Kirkman of Cosby, Leicestershire. One of his brothers, Two of his medals are family treasures held by his cousin Tony Kirkman of Solihull, West Midlands. Robert's decorations are the Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. One of Robert's brothers, James William Parry Kirkman b 1895 emigrated to Canada, and some of his relatives today live in Edmonton. Taken from Roots Web |