Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Robert Clarence Kilworth was born on 15 May 1895 at Waimate, the sixth and youngest son of George and Jessie (née Hart) Kilworth. He was a printer residing at home at Waimate when he enlisted. R. C. Killworth [sic] and nine other Waimate men, two from Willowbridge and one from St Andrews, who were joining the 15th Reinforcements, were farewelled at the railway station at noon on 5 April 1916. “The town was beflagged, the school children paraded, and the two bands marched the squad of enlisters to the railway steps, where Mrs Francis, the Mayoress, Dr. Hayes, deputy-Mayor, and Borough Councillors were present to meet them.” Later on 5 April 1916, the South Canterbury quota for the 15th Reinforcements left by the express for the military camps, the Infantry – including R. C. Killworth [sic], Waimate - proceeding to Trentham. Before departing Timaru, the men were entertained by the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee at luncheon in the Stafford Tea Rooms. Falling in at the Drill Shed at 3pm, they were addressed by the Mayor, Mr Craigie, M.P., and the Rev. Dean Tubman. The 2nd South Canterbury Regimental Band was in attendance, and the High School Cadets and the Honorary Territorials formed a cordon at the railway station. At Trentham in May 1916, Robert Kilworth was one of five Waimate boys who occupied Hut 123 – ‘There’s Kilworth, better known as “Curly,” Who’s chief objection is rising early; But we guess this is a bit of a sham For we know he’s the right sort of man.’ [Waimate Daily Advertiser, 12 May 1916.] In June 1917 Rifleman F. C. Kilworth was seriously wounded, suffering gunshot wounds to his face and nose. He was treated at the Queen’s Hospital, “Frognal”, Sidcup. It was April 1919 when he returned to New Zealand per the Tainui. Robert died on 30 December 1937 at Waimate, age 42 years, his death being attributed to his war injuries. He was accorded a military funeral. His five brothers were pall-bearers as he was laid to rest in the local cemetery. His brother, Frederick Harvey Kilworth also served in World War I, and another, Edward William Kilworth, enlisted.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [12 August 2020]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [12 August 2020]; Waimate Cemetery headstone image & record (Waimate District Council) [13 August 2020]; Timaru Herald, 5 April 1916, 23 June 1917, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 5 April 1916, 12 May 1916, 26 June 1917, 7 & 18 July 1917(Papers Past) [03 & 13 August 2020]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.