Enlisted in the Kent Regt. (A.F.) 12/02/1941, transferred to the Essex Scottish Regt. Son of Mr. John A. and Nina Pearl Kirkland (the step son of John A. King) of Cedar Springs, Raleigh, Twsp., Kent Co., ON. Born at Walkerville in May 1921. He attended McKeough School in Chatham and spent four years at the Chatham Vocational School. Stewart married Mary Welsh (nee Miller) and was living at 42 Lower Castle Hill, Stirling, Scotland. Prior to his enlistment he was engaged in farming in the Ridgetown area. CDN 3/11/44

Stuart was a resident of Chatham when he enlisted  joined the Kent Regt. in February of 1941. He went overseas in 1942 after transferring  to the Essex Scottish.  He was in France in 1944 after the invasion.

Sgt. Kirkland was the second member of the Essex Scottish Regt. to be awarded the Distinguishes Conduct Medal (DCM). He was awarded the medal for:

“initiative gallant and spirited leadership in taking over the company and clearing out at least two machine gun posts after his two officers had been wounded or killed”.

Beside the two officers 30 other ranks were killed or wounded in the action.

This action occurred in August of 1944 at Touribu, France. On 13 August, 1944 Sgt. Kirkland’s company, part of 2^nd Canadian Infantry Division was ordered to attack the feature point 184, and the woods 0544 B.

The citation for this gallant action deserves to be remembered completely:

His display of courage and singleness of purpose to come to grips with and destroy the enemy, was a source of inspiration to his men and is and will be an example to the Regiment for all times.  CDN 6/11/44

The forming up position had not been mopped up by the troops preceding. As a result B company became committed before crossing the starting line. As a result of this, direction was lost and the company’s axis of advance was interpreted as being towards Tournebu.

On the outskirts of Tournebu the only two officers in the company were wounded by heavy machine gun fire from the hedges which pinned the company down. Despite the loss of about 30 men from a company of 90, Sgt. Kirkland immediately took over.

Placing himself at the head of the remaining riflemen, he ordered the Bren guns and mortars to give covering fire, while he led a bayonet charge against at least two machine gun posts in the hedge on the outskirts of the village. The destruction of the enemy positions and the capture of about 30 prisoners of was resulted.

Following the assault Sgt. Kirkland carried on the attack against the buildings on the outskirts of the village, directing fire and leading his men in to clear the houses. He took nine more prisoners.

Having completed this action he consolidated the company about the houses, and dispatched a runner to report to Battalion Headquarters. The he started arranging the collection and evacuation of the wounded.

During this whole of this action, communication over the wireless with Battalion Headquarters were spasmodic, and Sgt. Kirkland was left on his own resources. The fact that the company overcame the opposition which had pinned them to the ground was due entirely to the initiative and gallant and spirited leadership of Sgt. Kirkland, who, discarding any thought of personal safety, placed himself at the head of his men for the assault.

His Investiture by the King for his Distinguished Conduct Medal at St. Jame’s Palace 20/02/1945. Stuart wa accompanied by his wife Mary and CSM I. Mills of Niagara Falls, ON. Reported arriving at Halifax, NS. aboard the S. S. “Nieu Amsterdam”, CDN 9 Sept., 1945. Expected to arrive at Lachine, PQ on the 11^th for leave to return to their homes. CDN 10/09/45. Arrived home 11 Sep. 1945. CDN11/09/45(P). Reported  being welcomed back to Chatham from overseas duty by Aldermen George Kerr KC., A. G. Goodman and Bert Joyce also by Rehabilitation Officer William Foreman and Alex Copeland for the Civil Reception Committee along with hundreds of citizens. Discharged from the army 29/10/1945. (Discharge Certificate).

Stuart was invited to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as a representative of the Kent Regiment in 1953.

The Sgt. Mess at the new Armoury in Chatham is named in his honour.

Stuart passed away 14/10/1996.

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	Distinguished Conduct Medal, CSM
Sources	CDN (09-09-1945), CDN (10-09-1945), CDN (11-09-1945), KCFA (19-07-1945), RCL-185,LM-LP, CDN (12-09-1945), BFL-B, BT, John Kirkland, brother, Don Kirkland (son).

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.