Regiment: Royal Field Artillery.
Died: 21 March 1918 aged 36 in France. Killed in action.
Battle: German Spring Offensive. Cemetery: Pozieres Memorial P 7-10
Son of Thomas Killby (butcher and meat purveyor) and Annie Killby, 152 Highbury New Park, N. b. 1882.
Modern IV—Lower Modern II.
Stock Exchange.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant "C" Bty. 307th Bde. Royal Field Artillery , 1914.
Husband of Gladys Cressy Spear (formerly Killby), of Brewhurst, Loxwood, Billinghurst, Sussex.
'Chester Killby as a boy had a quiet and retiring nature, below which was a strength of sterling character, which endeared him to all his friends. He left School early to go into business, and for some years was a member of the London Stock Exchange. When war broke out he volunteered, and was gazetted as a 2nd Lieut, to the R.F.A. After training he went to France, and very soon proved to be one of the bravest of the brave, frequently volunteering for any post of danger. He was in command of an anti-tank gun, in a forward post, on March 21st when the German offensive began. For some time he was reported missing, but news has since come from a wounded prisoner in Germany that he was seen, standing alone by his gun, surrounded by the enemy, till he fell, mortally wounded.' (Malvernian, Nov 1918).
On March 20, 1918, Lt. Killby took command of an anti-tank gun in front of Holnon Wood, near St Quentin, and the following day he was reported missing, believed killed in action, defending his command.
Biography at Stewkley
Service record: WO 374/39550