100 years ago today

THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
WILLIAM KIRBY
Born in 1882 in Preston William Kirby was known throughout his career as 'Sunny Jim'. After beginning his career with Emmanuel Rovers he was signed by Preston North End in November 1900. Whilst Preston retained his registration until 1911 he spent these years 'on loan' at Southern League Swindon Town, West Ham United and Portsmouth. After establishing himself as a regular goalscorer at each of these clubs in 1911 he was re-called by Preston and he finished the 1911-12 season as top scorer and a Division II championship medal.
In July 1913 he was transferred to Exeter City where he was made club captain. However, in 1913 the Merthyr Town Directors paid a 'three figure fee' to bring him to Penydarren Park. He made his Merthyr debut in the Southern League fixture at Gillingham and was a regular choice for the rest of the season.
He remained at Penydarren Park the following season and then joined the Royal Engineers. Invalided out of the Army he went to work at the Woolwich Arsenal. During this time he guested for both Croydon Common and Brentford.
However, Kirby was unhappy with his working conditions and in 1917 he re-enlisted with his old regiment. He was killed near Ypres in Belgium on 3rd October 1917 serving as a private with the 6th (Pioneer) Battalion of the Royal Engineers and is buried at the Bard Cottage cemetery. He left behind a wife and five children under the age of eleven.

Sad old tale from terrible times.

Boz

THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

JABEZ CARTWRIGHT
Jabez Cartwright began his footballing career with Mapperley Town before joining Grantham Town in February 1912. He was a right-back who joined Bolton Wanderers for £110 in March 1913. He did not make a Football League appearance for his new club and joined Merthyr Town in January 1914. Cartwright made his debut in the Southern League fixture at Portsmouth. However, whilst a regular in the Southern League Charity Cup and South Wales Cup matches, Jabez found it difficult to break into the Southern League eleven. He was released at the end of the 1913-14 season and re-joined Grantham Town. Cartwright joined the 8th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment and was killed in action on 4th October 1917, one day after fellow footballer Bill Kirby. He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial Cemetery.