Major L R V Colby

Major Lawrnce Robert Vaughan Colby of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards was killed in action at Ypres 24th October 1914, aged 34. He was the only son of Mrs. Colby, of Ffynone, Pembrokeshire, and the late John Vaughan Colby. He was born on 3 April 1880 and educated at Eton. He was gazetted 2nd Lieut Grenadier Guards on 11 Feb 1899 and promoted to lieutenant on 1 Jan 1900. He served in the South African War 1899-1902 and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State from April to 29 Nov 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg and Wittebergen (1 to 29 July), and those in Orange River Colony Dec 1900 to 31 May 1902 (Queen's Medal with two clasps and King's Medal with two clasps). He was promoted to captain on 30 Sept 1905 and major in Sept 1914. Major Colby served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action near Gheluvelt 24 Oct 1914 while leading his men. He was buried on the battlefield. There is no known grave but he is commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 9 and 11. He was mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915 by F.M. Sir John French, for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

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