Herbert Harry Kirby was born on 20 March 1916 in Battersea, London, a son of Alfred Kirby (1886-1978) and Ann Elizabeth Kirby, née Seatry (1886-1981). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1916 in the Wandsworth Registration District, London. On 14 May 1916 he was baptised at All Saints Church, Battersea, where the baptismal register confirms his date of birth, that his family are shown as residing at 72 Landseer Street, Battersea and that his father was a motor driver.
He is shown on the 1921 census return form that was completed by his father as aged 5 years and in whole time education, still living at 72 Landseer Street, Battersea, with his parents and two siblings: Elizabeth Kate Kirby (1907-1971) and Alfred Cyril Kirby (1910-1982) who were also both in whole time education. His father listed himself as a motor driver employed by Higgs & Hill Ltd, builders at Crown Works, South Lambeth Road, Battersea.
He was appointed a Postman Messenger in the London Postal Service in August 1932 and promoted to the grade of Sorter in September 1934 at the Post Office's London Western District Office
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 127173, and in the he is shown as being promoted from Flight Sergeant to Pilot Officer on probation (emergency) with effect from 8 June 1942.
The confirms that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C). whilst attached to No.420 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron.
After gaining promotion to Flying Officer (Navigation) he was attached to No.19 Officer Training Unit and was on board an Avro Anson Mk1 bomber, serial number N9671, squadron and aircraft identifier XF-D, that took off from RAF Kinloss, Moray, Scotland, when at 15.05 hours on 14 August 1943 the aeroplane was seen to dive from 4,000 feet into the ground and catch fire at Tarry Farm, St Vigeans, one mile east of Arbroath, Angus, Scotland. He was a Navigator Instructor and was one of the three instructors and three pupils that were on board. All six were killed and he was aged 27 years. He is commemorated on , Kew Meadow Path, Townmead Rd, Richmond, TW9 4EN.
Probate records confirm that his address had been 12 Alderbury Road, Barnes, London, SW13 and that when administration of his estate was granted to his mother on 26 November 1943 his effects totalled £249-14s-10d. On 15 May 1944 his mother was sent his Royal Mail gratuity of £179-17s-9d for his service in the Post Office.
He is shown as 'KIRBY, H.H.' on the Western Postal District war memorial in Mount Pleasant, London, WC1 and as 'KIRBY HH' on , Canwick Avenue, Lincoln, LN4 2HQ. He is also commemorated on the , on the , and on .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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