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Click on image to purchase photographic copy or purchase download at bottom of page. CAPTAIN ARTHUR FORBES GORDON KILBY, V.C., M.C. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 
CAPTAIN ARTHUR FORBES GORDON KILBY, V.C., M.C. (F, 1898-1902) was born on February 3rd, 1885. He was the only son of S. J. Kilby Esq., of Leamington, and before coming to Winchester was with Mr. Earle at Bilton Grange. He passed through Sandhurst and in 1905 was gazetted to the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He applied himself zealously to the study of his profession, qualifying at the same time as an interpreter in German and Hungarian the only Hungarian interpreter in the Army. He won unusually rapid promotion and at the outbreak of war was working for admission to the Staff College. He left for the front very early in the campaign and in the November following was awarded the M.C. for a skilful manoeuvre which resulted in the re-capture of a line of trench from a superior enemy force. A few days later he was wounded while helping to hold a gap in the line created by the retirement of the troops on the left flank of his battalion. His name appeared in the Commander-in-Chief's Despatch of January 1915. He returned to the front in May 1915, and distinguished himself again by a series of daring reconnaissances, being recommended for the D.S.O. He fell on September 25th, 1915, on the La Bassee Canal, while in command of the company on the extreme left flank of the armies engaged at the Battle of Loos. His company was detailed to attack the railway triangle redoubt, a position of great strength immediately to the south of La Bassee : he had studied the ground carefully and was placed in charge of the operations at his own request. They had to advance down a narrow tow-path and along a railway embankment, which was exposed to fire in front and in flank. Owing to a series of mishaps, the preparations for the assault had not been adequately carried out ; but, as Captain Kilby saw, it had to be undertaken at all costs in order to protect the left flank of the advancing forces from enfilade fire. The battalion accordingly went forward. Captain Kilby fell wounded as soon as he was over the parapet, but got up again and cheered his men on in the face of the fiercest fire until they reached the enemy's position. Here he was again shot down and his foot blown off ; but he continued to use his rifle to the end. He was buried by the enemy, together with one of his subalterns and thirteen men, and the German regimental commander, whose position he had assaulted, wrote in high appreciation of his valour. He received the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross. A monument with a bas-relief portrait has been erected to his memory in York Minster. He was a keen student of natural history and fond of music and architecture. Purchase Downloadable Photos Of Captain A F G Kilby VC MC Choose Return to WW1Photos.com option after payment to be taken to photo to download. Any problems with the download contact orders@ww1photos.com and I will email it to you. |