Philip Kirkup

Born in 1894, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion DLI in 1912. He went with 8 DLI to Belgium in 1915 and eventually rose to command this battalion during the Great War. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1916 and the Distinguished Service Order and Bar for his bravery and leadership during the German advance of March 1918.

After the Great War, he continued to serve in the Territorials and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1938. In 1939, he was recalled to active service to command the 70th Brigade, which contained the 10th & 11th Battalions DLI and the Tyneside Scottish. He commanded 70 Brigade in France in 1940 and later in in Iceland. In 1942, he was sent to North Africa.

Brigadier Kirkup, who was Honorary Colonel of the 8th Battalion DLI, was in civilian life manager of Craghead Colliery.

Philip Kirkup died in 1959, aged 65 years.