Pte Samuel Sydney Kilby, 47425, 15th Battalion Canadian Infantry, died on April 28th, 1915, from wounds received in action north of Ypres. He was aged 23 and the youngest son of Samuel and Emily Jane Kilby, of Hilldene, 102 Midland Road, Luton.

He joined the Canadians in November 1914 and was transferred to the 48th Highlanders on reaching France in February 1915. He had been in the trenches some time but was wounded on the first occasion he was in action. His death came four days after he was wounded again (in the abdomen) and after he had been taken to No. 11 General Hospital.

In the 1911 Census, Pte Kilby's father Samuel, 52, was described as a straw hat materials merchant and his older brother Horace as a straw hat manufacturer. At that time the younger Samuel was a print room apprentice with The Luton News, but soon afterwards joined his father's firm.

Along with his parents and brother, Pte Kilby lived in Midland Road with two sisters, Emily Maud, 22, a dressmaker, and Florence Mabel, 17, a shop assistant.

He was captain and played for Luton Amateurs Football Club, and was a member of Luton Liberal Club, the first club member to lose his life in the war. The Union Jack at the club was flown at half mast in his honour.

A memorial service for Pte Kilby was held at High Town Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday evening, May 9th.

Condolences were expressed to his family at a meeting of the Luton Board of Guardians, of which Samuel Kilby Snr was a member.