| Quirk | John Owen | | Major | QUIRK, JOHN OWEN, Major, was born 13 August 1847, 3rd son of Philip Quirk, of Knockaloe House, Bromborough, Cheshire, and of Annie Eliza, daughter of Edmund Brown Wilton, of Limerick. He was educated at a private school, and at Trinity College, Dublin (BA), and joined the 41st (The Welsh) Regiment on 1 December 1869. He became Captain in 1880; and served in the Boer War of 1881, in the Transvaal Campaign, with the Natal Field Force. Major Quirk served in the Egyptian Expedition of 1884 in the Sudan, being employed on transport duties, and was present at the Battles of El Teb and Tamai, and in the advance on Tamanieb. He was mentioned in Despatches, and received the Medal with clasp and the Bronze Star. He took part in the Sudan Expedition of 1884-85 (Nile), and was employed on the lines of communication, as AAG to the Egyptian Army. He was present at the action of Ginniss (horse shot); was mentioned in Despatches; received a clasp to his Egyptian Medal, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 November 1886]: "John Owen Quirk, Major, Welsh Regiment. For action at Ginniss". He again saw active service in the Sudan with the Nile Field Force in 1889, as Commandant of Korosko, and for his services received the 3rd Class Osmanieh. Major Quirk became Lieutenant Colonel in 1893; was created a CB in 1897; promoted Colonel 26 January 1899, and commanded the 41st Regimental District until January 1904. He married in 1875, Eugenie Marie, daughter of Octavius O'Brien, of Kildare Street, Dublin.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Welsh Regiment |
