Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby VC

Name: Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: March 30, 1916

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire/February 3, 1885

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank):  Captain

Date of bravery: September 25, 1915

London Gazette citation:

Captain Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby, late 2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery. Captain Kilby was specially selected, at his own request, and on account of the gallantry which he had previously displayed on many occasions, to attack with his company a strong enemy redoubt.

The company charged along the narrow tow-path, headed by Captain Kilby, who, though wounded at the outset, continued to lead his men right up to the enemy wire under a devastating machine-gun fire and a shower of bombs. Here he was shot down, but, although his foot had been blown off, he continued to cheer on his men and to use a rifle.

Captain Kilby has been missing since the date of the performance of this great act of valour, and his death has now to be presumed.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: MC

Place/date of death: La Bassé Canal, near Cuinchy, France/September 25, 1915

Grave/memorials: Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France; Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, France; York Minster, York, North Yorkshire; Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire; Royal Leamington Spa Memorial, Warwickshire

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London, 2012

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum