Herbert Kelby DCM

Lance Corporal Herbert Kelby DCM

The Distinguished Conduct Medal or DCM is a bravery award made to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British Army.

One of the recipients during the Great War of 1914-18 was a young man from Bourne, Lance Corporal Herbert Kelby, serving with the Lincolnshire Regiment, whose act of heroism came during action in the trenches of France in the spring 1916. When he returned home some weeks later, he was honoured with a civic reception in the market place on the evening of Saturday 30th September when the medal was handed over by the Earl of Ancaster, who was in military uniform.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the town hall with a guard of honour formed by the local Volunteer Training Company commanded by Captain Thomas Mays, a contingent of wounded servicemen from the Military Hospital at the Vestry Hall in North Street and the Bourne Brass Band. A carriage had been drawn up in front of the crowd for use as a platform for the presentation.

“Lance Corporal Kelby was one of those young men who voluntarily answered the call early”, said his lordship, “the call of patriotism and duty and he took up arms in what we all believe to be for a righteous cause. We are all especially proud of him today. By a conspicuous act of bravery he has had the signal honour conferred upon him of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and it is a great pleasure for me, on behalf of our sovereign King George, to present the medal to our young soldier.”

Lord Ancaster then read out the official citation detailing his act of bravery:

Hearing that some of the enemy were causing annoyance by sniping, he went himself and silenced the whole party with bombs, killing at least one of the enemy. He set a fine example.

There was loud cheering and applause as Lord Ancaster pinned the medal on Lance Corporal Kelby’s tunic. “I am sure that I am echoing the wishes of everyone present with the hope that you will have a successful career in the future and long life and happiness”, he said and then handed over an inscribed silver cigarette case and a War Savings Certificate for £15 as a mark of esteem from the townspeople who had subscribed to buy them.

Lance Corporal Kelby thanked the assembled company and said that words failed him to express his gratitude for what the town had done for him. He went on: “I only did my duty on behalf of King and country. When the boys left Bourne they all enlisted with the idea of doing their duty and their best and I am proud of them and also of the county regiment and I hope that some of the other boys will come back and even win a greater distinction that what I have been awarded – the Victoria Cross.”

Other speakers included Councillor J T Holmes, chairman of Bourne Urban District Council, who proposed a vote of thanks to Lord Ancaster, and Mr J T Swift who seconded. Mr W Kelby, father of Lance Corporal Kelby, also spoke, saying that he could not express his pleasure and gratitude at the recognition the town had given to the service of his son. “I feel not only proud of my own lad but of the other boys who have done so well to show their patriotism”, he said.

There was more cheering before the band struck up the national anthem and after descending from the carriage, Lord Ancaster walked along the line of wounded soldiers, having a short chat with most of them as he went.