Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man:
Flying Officer Herbert Harry Kirby, D.F.C. Born in 1916 in Wandsworth, London the son of Alfred and Anne Elizabeth Kirby, née Seatry. His father was a Delivery Porter at a General Store and the family lived at 23 Henley Street, Battersea Park Road, London. He was appointed a Postman Messenger in the London Postal Service in August 1932 and promoted to the grade of Sorter in September 1934.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 127173, and in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated the 1st September 1942 he is shown as being promoted from Flight Sergeant to Pilot Officer on probation (emergency) with effect from the 8th June 1942. After gaining promotion to Flying Officer (Navigation) he was attached to No.19 Officer Training Unit and was on board an Anson 1 bomber, N9671 XF-D, when on the 14th August 1943 the aeroplane was seen to dive into the ground and catch fire one mile east of Arbroath, Angus, Scotland. There were three instructors and three pupils on board. He died aged 27 years. He is commemorated on Panel 8 at the Mortlake Crematorium, Kew Meadow Path, Townmead Rd, Richmond, TW9 4EN. Probate was granted to his mother and showed their address to be 12 Alderbury Road, Barnes, London, S.W.13. His effects totalled £249-14s-10d.
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