Arthur Forbes Gordon KILBY VC

Captain, Arthur Forbes Gordon KILBY. V C, M C, Twice Mentioned in Despatches. C Coy, 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment. Killed 25 September 1915 aged 30. Only son of Sandford and Alice F. Kilby. Born at East Hayes, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. At rest in Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France.

Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby
Captain, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment who served in France during the Great War Retreat from Mons battle of the Aisne. First battle of the Ypres, battle of Loos, where he fell leading an attack on the Triangle Redoubt near La Bassee September 25th 1915 aged 50.
He went to certain death with the same serene courage he has always displayed. His influence and example are reflected in ever man of his company and will live after him. His death will not have been in vain, he is worthy of the highest reward his Majesty can bestow. (Brig Gen, A.C.Daly)
Born February 3rd 1885 (at Pittville Circus Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England in a house called East Hayes) He was great great grandson of Thomas Kilby, Lord Mayor of York, 1784. Grand Master Mason of all England (York) 1790. Great grandson of John Kilby, Lord Mayor 1804 and only son of Sandford and Alice Kilby of Skelton House, Leamimeton

Citation for the Victoria Cross for
On September 25th 1915 he won the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery. Captain Kilby was specially selected at his own request and on account of the gallantry which he had displayed on many occasions to attack with his Company a strong enemy redoubt. The Company charged among the narrow towpath 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 man and to use a rifle
(Captain Kilby has been missing since the date of his performance of this great act of valour and his death has now to be presumed)
London Gazette. Thursday March 30th 1916

Citation for the Military Cross
He was awarded the Military Cross for his gallant daring of a counter attack near Ypres and for resourceful disposition of his men at a most critical time. Here he was severely wounded November 1914 and recommended for the Distinguished Service Order September 24th 1915 "For consistent good work imbuing all ranks with keenness by his example in despatches in his honour and that of Lt D.M.Williams and 13 men of his Company. The enemy erected a cross inscribed For King and Country, God like the heroes

This memorial can bee seen at York Minster

It is a shame that he is not commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershir...05/remembrance_captain_kilby_vc_feature.shtml