Kirkcaldie was born near
Leven, Three years later he was promoted to chief clerk in that section, then assistant traffic manager for the Southern and Western lines under William Vero Read (died 1922). In 1889 the office was made redundant by the opening of a bridge over the Hawkesbury River; Read was made Railways Secretary in place of Donald Vernon (1839–1891), and Kirkcaldie was promoted to Chief Traffic Manager. He was appointed one of two Railway Commissioners (the other being
W. M. Fehon) under Chief Commissioner
C. N. J. Oliver in 1897. ==Family==