S.Staffs VC Winner's Tunic - Capt.A.F.G.Kilby.

South Staffords full dress tunic worn by Capt.A.F.G.Kilby who went onto win the VC at Loos in 1915. Red tunic with white facings with gilt S.Staffs buttons bullion badges and Captain's epaulettes. Fully lined with Kilby's name in ink to lining. This tunic was deaccessioned by the Staffs museum and is accompanied by notes identifying and validating it's provenance with copy images showing the tunic being worn.
Kilby was promoted to Captain on 1 April 1910 when he was only 25. An accomplished linguist, he was fluent in Hungarian and German, and when war broke out in August 1914 he was learning Spanish. He was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment during the First World War.

Kilby was 30 years old, and a captain when he performed an act for which he was awarded the VC and during which he died. He was killed in action on 25 September 1915 whilst leading his company attacking enemy positions near Cuinchy, on the Le Bassee Canal, on the first day of the Battle of Loos. Kilby's extreme heroism and gallantry during this attack was noted and he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross on 30 March 1916.
Tunic is in generally excellent condition with some minor moth tracking, a small number of moth holes and a tear to the reverse of the r/h sleeve.

Code: 9884