Robin Frederick Henry Kirk

A Schoolmaster, Robin died on 23 April 1916, at the age of 32.

Robin was born at Ennis, County Clare, in 1884, a son of Robert Thomas and Harriett E. Kirk. In 1891 his family lived at 8 Queens Street, Neithrop, Banbury. By 1901 Robin's family were living at 85 Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow, and Robin was a pupil-teacher with Walthamstow School Board. Later Thomas' parents lived at Bungalow, Chestnut Avenue, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, and then, by 1935, at 20 Worthing Road, Lowestoft.  

On 12 August 1905 Robin enlisted in the Corps of Army Schoolmasters. On 9 August 1906 he was posted to the Garrison School, Chatham. Robin married Alice Maude Pavey at Saint Andrews Church, Chippenham, Wiltshire, on 22 December 1906. He stated that he was living at 149 Sexton Road, Chippenham. Robin purchased his discharge from the Army, for £25, on 15 April 1907. In 1911 Robin and Alice lived at 117 Clementine Road, Leyton: Robin's occupation is not shown in the 1911 Census but Alice is listed as a school teacher. 

Around 1912 Robin and Alice emigrated to Shanghai where Robin worked as a schoolmaster at Ellis Kadoorie School. 

Robin died in 1916 from a self-inflicted wound. An inquest concluded that he had been of unsound mind at the time. 

Robin's brother died in 1915 whilst serving with the New Zealand Medical Corps. Both brothers are listed on Saint Margaret's Church War Memorial and the Lowestoft War Memorial (memorial book). Their father was allowed to rejoin the Army in 1914 and served, until 1916, as a Company Sergeant Major, with the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment.