"Major Douglas R. Kirker, third son of the late Mr J. Kirker, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, and nephew of Robert and Samuel Kirker, of Wellington, died at Devonport. Auckland, on Sunday. Major Kirker left New Zealand with the rank of captain in the 8th Reinforcements, and saw service in Egypt and France. He contracted pneumonia whilst on service, and was invalided home about 18 months ago. He was promoted major after his return to the Dominion. He contracted influenza recently, and this was followed by a renewed attack of pneumonia, to which he succumbed. He leaves a wife and one child."

[Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1401, 6 December 1918, Page 2]