Other Information:Richard received his school education in Erasmus Smith's Grammar School, Galway, and Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He entered Queen's College, Galway, and received his professional education there and at the Richmond Hospital, Dublin. He received the medical degrees of the Royal University in 1908. While a student at the University he joined and went through a course of training in the South of Ireland Yeomanry (Later the South Irish Horse). After a year as assistant house surgeon in the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital he obtained a commission in the R.A.M.C., gaining a commission at the rank of Lieutenant on 31st July 1909. He was stationed in the Cork district, Ireland from 1909 to 1911, then served at Potchefstroom in South Africa from 1912 to 1914, and was stationed there when war broke out. During this time he gained promotion to Captain on 31st January 1913. Richard was called to Europe for service, and left England for the front on 6th October 1914. In his last letter home, written five days before his death, he wrote with enthusiasm of the magnificent spirit of both officers and men. Richard was killed at Klein Zillebeke, during the 1st Battle of Ypres. Lieut-Col Barnes, commanding the 10th Hussars wrote: "He was a gallant officer and loved and respected by all ranks of the 10th Hussars. I especially asked that he might go to the war with the regt. and so I feel that fate has scarcely been kind." Major the Hon. C.B.O. Mitford, D.S.O., of the 10th Hussars, wrote: "He with two other officers got one of my men and myself out of the trenches at considerable personal risk. He was just as cool helping the wounded under fire as if he was in a surgery. I hope it may be some slight consolation to you to know how he will be missed in the regiment and that his good work was appreciated by all." Major Shearman wrote: "you will be proud to know that he was possessed of great personal courage and his one thought here was his duty and care of the wounded, which he in many cases personally collected. Your son was buried by the Rev. C. S. Ensell, in the cemetery at Ypres. His grave is next that of Lord Charles Nairne, who was killed at the same time." And a Colonel of the R.A.M.C. wrote: " Capt Kinkead was regarded as a daring and fearless soldier, with strikingly attractive qualities, and was immensely popular with the men of the regiment. Over and over again he risked his life in the discharge of his duties in the field." With his father, one of the most respected men in the Irish profession, there was universal sympathy. Richard was the only surviving son of Dr R J Kinkead , Professor of Midwifery in University College, Galway, and Emily Kinkead of Foster House, Galway. [Headstone photograph courtesy of Mark Banning]
|