He was killed somewhere near Montauban on the 3rd day of the battle of the Somme and his remains were never found. He was born in Bickerstaffe and lived at 71 Wigan Road Ormskirk. He was the eldest son of Mrs Jane Kirby. At the time of his death he was living in Rock Lane Melling. The 17th battalion was a Pals battalion and was known as the 1st City battalion. His name is honoured in St Thomas’s church Melling and Liverpool Town Hall. He was 21 years of age