Walter Allison Kirkconnell
Walter Allison Kirkconnell was born 20 August 1893 in Port Hope ON. His parents, Thomas and Bertha (Watson) Kirkconnell had 4 boys and 1 girl, with Walter being the middle child and second oldest son. His older brother Watson went on to become the president of Acadia Unversity, and wrote the book Victoria County Centennial History.
On 22 September 1914, Walter enlisted at Valcartier with the 14th Battalion. Before he signed up, he was a law student and also served for 2 years with the 45th Victoria Regiment.
The 14th Battalion war diary mentions Walter in the entry for 8 August 1918:
“The 14th Canadian Battalion attacked at dawn on the morning of the 8th of August, on a two company front, Nos 2 and 3 Companies supported by Nos 1 and 4. The barrage was excellent, and the Boche, taken absolutely by surprise, at first put up very little resistance, but as the night progressed, his machine gunners put up a very fine fight and caused our men a number of casualties. Early in the day, five very gallant officers were killed. Lieut. E.G.T. Penny, who died attacking a machine gun next single handledly, Lieut. A.S. Baird, Lieut. F.K. Neilson, Lieut. J.H. Davy, and Lieut. W.A. Kirkconnell.” The Circumstances of Casualty report gives a bit more info: “While taking part in an attack at Morgemont Wood on the morning of August 8th 1918, he was instantly killed near the “jumping-off” position by enemy shell fire.”
Walter Kirkconnell is buried in Toronto British Cemetery, Corbie, France. He was 24 years old.
