Alister Kirby
Encyclopedia
Alister Graham Kirby (14 April 1886 – 29 March 1917) was a British
rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
. He died on service during the First World War.
Kirby was born at Brompton, West London the son of Arthur Raymond Kirby, a Bencher of Lincolns Inn and his wife Gertrude Fleming. He was educated at Eton College
and Magdalen College, Oxford
. He rowed for Oxford
in the Boat Race in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909 but was only in the winning crew in his last year 1909, when he was President. He was President of Vincent's Club
in 1909. Kirby became a member of Leander Club
and was captain of the Leander eight
which won the gold medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
.
On the outbreak of World War I
, he was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade and served as a Captain. He died from illness in 1917 and was buried at Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles, France.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
. He died on service during the First World War.
Kirby was born at Brompton, West London the son of Arthur Raymond Kirby, a Bencher of Lincolns Inn and his wife Gertrude Fleming. He was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
. He rowed for Oxford
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
in the Boat Race in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909 but was only in the winning crew in his last year 1909, when he was President. He was President of Vincent's Club
Vincent's Club
Vincent's Club is a sports club predominantly but not exclusively for Oxford Blues at Oxford University.The club was founded in 1863 by the oarsman Walter Bradford Woodgate of Brasenose College, Oxford, and he was the first president of the club...
in 1909. Kirby became a member of Leander Club
Leander Club
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in the English county of Berkshire, adjoining Henley-on-Thames...
and was captain of the Leander eight
Eight (rowing)
An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
which won the gold medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics featured 4 events, for men only. All races were held in Djurgårdsbrunnsviken from Thursday, July 17 to Saturday, July 19, 1912.-Medal summary:-Bronze medals:...
.
On the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade and served as a Captain. He died from illness in 1917 and was buried at Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles, France.