29 Facts About Sidney Kirkman

Sidney Kirkman later became Director General of Civil Defence in the Civil Defence Department from 1954 to 1960.

Sidney Kirkman served with the 72nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was awarded the Military Cross during his time at the Western Front and later on the Italian Front.

Sidney Kirkman was awarded a Bar to his MC in 1918, and was twice wounded and mentioned in despatches.

Between 1919 and 1930, Sidney Kirkman, having obtained a Regular Army commission in 1915, and unlike many others, remained in the army and served throughout the British Empire in Palestine, Malta and India during the interwar years.

Sidney Kirkman was promoted to captain on 1 January 1925.

On 21 October 1930 Sidney Kirkman relinquished his appointment as staff captain with Malta Command and returned to England.

On 16 August 1932 Sidney Kirkman married Amy Caroline Erskine Clark, and they had two sons.

Sidney Kirkman then completed a two-year staff posting to the Royal Air Force School of Co-operation in January 1938.

Sidney Kirkman was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1941.

Sidney Kirkman remained with the regiment until being promoted to acting brigadier on 23 March 1941 and being made Commander, Royal Artillery successively in the 56th Infantry Division, I Corps, VIII Corps, XII Corps and South-Eastern Command.

Montgomery, who thought very highly of Sidney Kirkman and requested him specifically, wanted to replace the Eighth Army's then CRA, Brigadier Noel Martin, and to replace him.

Sidney Kirkman then informed Kirkman what he wished the artillery to do in the battle and, having such tremendous confidence in Kirkman, left him to plan for the artillery's role, and never once interfered.

Sidney Kirkman was satisfied that since I was there it would be as good as it could be.

Sidney Kirkman explained his views to Montgomery, who told Kirkman that the battle would last another week.

The pursuit of the retreating Axis forces now began, and Sidney Kirkman was critical of the speed with which the Eighth Army, in particular Lumsden's X Corps, pursued them.

Sidney Kirkman recalled, in particular, one incident, when he found Major General Alexander Gatehouse, commanding the 10th Armoured Division, who found himself spearheading the Eighth Army's advance.

Sidney Kirkman continued as BRA Eighth Army until 19 February 1943 when, as part of a new policy to transfer experienced personnel from the Eighth Army to the 18th Army Group, commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.

Sidney Kirkman was not there long as, upon Montgomery's recommendation he was promoted to the acting rank of major general on 14 April 1943, and appointed as General Officer Commanding of the 50th Infantry Division, succeeding Major General John Nichols, who had lost Montgomery's confidence following the Mareth Line offensive.

Sidney Kirkman led the 50th Division to Enfidaville it was relieved by elements of the newly arrived 56th Division, and was withdrawn into Eighth Army reserve, later moving to Egypt, where it commenced training in amphibious warfare, having been selected for participation in the Allied invasion of Sicily.

Sidney Kirkman's division was, by the time he became GOC, a highly experienced formation, having served in France and Belgium in 1940, in the Middle East from 1941 to 1942, and in many battles in North Africa in 1942.

Shortly before the relatively brief Sicilian campaign ended Sidney Kirkman was, on 5 August 1943, made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Therefore, on 20 January 1944 Sidney Kirkman was promoted to the acting rank of lieutenant general.

Sidney Kirkman was requested specifically by Lieutenant General Sir Oliver Leese, who in late December 1943 had succeeded Montgomery as GOC Eighth Army, having formed a high opinion of Sidney Kirkman in North Africa and Sicily.

On 1 June 1944 Sidney Kirkman was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

Sidney Kirkman was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in July 1945.

Sidney Kirkman was promoted to full general on 22 August 1947, Sidney Kirkman was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in December 1950.

Sidney Kirkman was honorary Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery from July 1947 until July 1957.

Sidney Kirkman became Special Financial Representative in Germany from 1951 until 1952.

Sidney Kirkman retired to Hampshire where he died on 29 October 1982, aged eighty-seven, over forty years after the Second Battle of El Alamein in which he played such a vital, if relatively unknown, role.