Ashtead War Memorials - WWII -  Serjeant Ralph Sheraton Kirtley Military Provost Staff Corps 1911-46

 Ralph, a son of Robert and Miriam Kirtley of Dawden, was baptised on 4 October 1911 at St John's Parish Church, Seaham. Miriam, the wife of Robert Kirtley, died aged 28 to be interred at Princess Road Cemetery Seaham Harbour, 25 February 1914. Robert Kirtley, a miner at Dawden Colliery, Seaham, joined the 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment during the Great War as Private 18364.and died of wounds in France on December 23rd 1917, aged 37 years - buried Rocquigny-Equancourt British Cemetery.

Having been orphaned with three siblings, Ralph appears to have enlisted in 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry and was awarded an India General Service Medal 1908, with one clasp, North West Frontier 1935. This indicates that he had been involved in the Second Mohmand Campaign.

The 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was in Palestine in 1939 and was moved to Egypt following the outbreak of war. It played a leading part in the Battle of Keren. After a period in Egypt, Syria and Cyprus, 2 HLI went to the Western Desert, fighting at Fuka, Knightsbridge and the Cauldron. Returning to Britain in the latter part of 1942, the Battalion took part in the landings at Sicily, 1943. Later retraining as a mountain battalion, fought in Yugoslavia, Albania and Greece. Early in 1945 it was sent to Italy for the final advance in the North, where it remained until the end of the War.

The marriage of Ralph S Kirtley to Dorothy G Ellis had been registered in Newcastle upon Tyne for the March Quarter of 1942.

Before demobilisation, Ralph had risen to the rank of Serjeant in Military Provost Staff Corps. In 1945, having left the Army, Ralph S and Dorothy G Kirtley have been located in residence at 1 Culverhay, Ashtead. Before the date of Ralph's death, 28 December 1946, they had moved to The Flat, 28 Woodfield Lane, Ashtead, but he expired at 2 Horsham Road, Dorking (the address of Dorking County Hospital).

The death of Dorothy Grace Kirtley, born 14 March 1906, was registered in Surrey Mid E, 3/1983.


text: Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page added 27 Sep 16