Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby

Leading his company down a towpath under devastating gunfire

Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby was born at Cheltenham on February 3, 1885. Educated at Bilton Grange and Winchester, he trained at Sandhurst and was commissioned into the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1905. He became a captain in 1910 and served with the 2nd Battalion. In August 1914 he went to France with the British Expeditionary Force. He fought in the early campaigns, suffered shell concussion and later received the Military Cross for courage and leadership near Ypres. Wounds to his arm and lung brought him home for treatment before he returned to the front in 1915.

On September 25, 1915, near Cuinchy, Kilby volunteered to lead his company against a fortified German redoubt beside the La Bassée Canal. He headed the attack along the narrow towpath under machine-gun fire and bombs. Wounded early in the advance, he continued to the enemy wire. Even after a devastating injury cost him a foot, he encouraged his men and fired his rifle. He was missing after the action and his death was subsequently presumed.

His Victoria Cross was announced on March 30, 1916 and presented to his father that July. His remains were identified in 1929 and reburied at Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt. His five-medal group subsequently entered the Lord Ashcroft Collection.

**Victoria Cross citation**

“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.”