A Victoria Cross grouping awarded posthumously to Captain Arthur Forbes Gordon Kilby in 1915 sold well yesterday (July 19), as first world war medals continue to see strong results at auction.
 The market for military medals is booming, led by first world war examples |
Kilby was recommended for the Victoria Cross for his "sustained gallantry, cold courage and most conspicuous bravery" at the first day of the Battle of Loos in September 1915. The captain had volunteered with his company to attack an enemy strong point, despite being wounded from the outset.
Having been hit by a bullet and with his foot blown off, Kilby led a charge along a narrow tow path in the La Basée Canal area, and was last seen encouraging his men forwards. The German soldiers that found his body were so impressed with his steely determination that they buried him where he fell, with the inscription: "The Kilby Family may think of their son with pride, as we remember him with respect," on a simple wooden cross.
Along with the Victoria Cross, Military Cross, 1914 Star and British War and Victory medals, the grouping also included Kilby's first world war bronze memorial plaque, which was housed in its fitted leather box. The complete group sold for £200,000 (excluding buyer's premium and VAT), against an estimate of £140,000-180,000.
Also in the sale was the first Victoria Cross medal awarded to a private during the first world war. Learn more here. The current world record price for a Victoria Cross group stands with those awarded to Captain Noel Chavasse, which sold for £1.5m in 2009.
We are currently offering our readers this remarkable personal photograph album from British general Oliver Leese, who succeeded Bernard Montgomery as leader of the Eighth Army in the second world war. We also have a fantastic typed letter autographed by Winston Churchill, where he expresses his distaste at the treatment of foreign troops returning from the first world war.
See our full militaria collection here.
