Distinguished Conduct Medal, 703313 Sgt. Z. Kirby. Canadian Infantry
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Distinguished Conduct Medal, Geo V, imp 703313 Sgt. Z. Kirby. Canadian Infy. Duplicate, in Royal Mint case of issue, toned NEF
WO II (CSM) Zebulon (Bob) Kirby won his DCM as a Sgt with the 102nd (N. BC) Bn, CEF[11thBde, 4thCdn Div].
Bob Kirby was born in Kansas, USA on 25 Jan 1880 and was a carpenter by trade. Residing at Lillooet, BC, he attested to the 102ndBn, CEF at age 35 on 12 Jan 1916. He arrived in England with the Bn on 28 Jun 1916 and embarked for France on 11 Aug 1916. He was promoted Corporal on 17 Jan 1917, Sergeant on 15 Feb 1917 and CSM (WO 2) on 13 Aug 1917. He awarded the DCM on 17 Sep 1917 (date of action unspecified).
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He repeatedly led his company, in the face of heavy machine gun and rifle fire, against enemy wire, taking the lead himself in the endeavour to clear the way. He afterwards was of the greatest service to his Platoon Commander, taking charge when he became a casualty, and displaying splendid energy and resource in holding a difficult position. He held out until so exhausted that he had to be carried out to rest, having shown most indomitable spirit throughout the day.” [LG 30287, 17 Sep 1917, p. 9602]
Kirby was wounded on 10 Aug 1918 and was invalided from the Bn. He returned to Canada and was discharged on demobilization on 27 Aug 1919.
Apparently, at some time, his medals were destroyed in a house fire. For some reason, probably because it was most prized, he applied through a friend for official replacement only of his DCM, which was formally issued in April 1970. That is the medal at hand.
Bob Kirby died at Shaughnessy Hospital, Vancouver on 13 Nov 1972 in his 93rdyear. He must have been as tough as an old boot.
Sold with the medal are the original UK Army Medal Office letters acknowledging the application and covering transmission of the replacement DCM, a CD containing photos of various pages from his LAC service file, plus print-outs of many of them, a copy of the London Gazette entry, a part newspaper clipping about him and a small photo.