246487 Maj. Hubert Dunsterville "Bay" Harvey-Kelly DSO MID.Royal Flying Corps 19 Squadron from:Bath (d.1st May 1917) Major Hubert Harvey-Kelly DSO MID known as Bay, was born on 9 February 1891 in Teignmouth, Devon son of Colonel H.H. Harvey-Kelly (Indian Army). He passed out from the Royal Military College Sandhurst in 1910 and joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in the Channel Islands on 5 October 1910, commissioned as Lieutenant on 23rd October same year.
On 30 May 1913 he graduated from the Central Flying School, Upavon and on 14th August 1913 he transferred on commission to the Royal Flying Corps Reserve before joining No.2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps at the new base at Montrose, Scotland, patrolling the North Sea to protect the Fleet. At the outbreak of War his squadron were ordered to fly over to France and even though he left Montrose on the 3rd August 1914, bad weather and damage to his plane hampered his way, not arriving in Dover until 9th August and crossing the channel on the 13th to become the first RFC pilot to land in France.
The London Gazette dated 18th of February 1915 shows he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order "for services in connection with operations in the field", he was also mentioned in Despatches 3 times. He was promoted to Captain on 23rd May 1915 and then Squadron Commander and Temporary Major on 30th of January 1916, serving with 19 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.
CWGC shows he died on 29th April 1917 but this is in fact incorrect, he was reported missing presumed dead on that date when he was shot down by Lt. Kurt Wolff of Jasta 11, his 24th victory. He died of head wounds three days later on 1st of May 1917 in a German Hospital, aged 26 years. His personal belongs were returned to his unit by the Germans, and then sent on to his mother. He is buried in the Browns Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France.
He was a victim of what the Royal Flying Corps referred to as Bloody April when they lost over 250 aircraft. He was well liked and his antics became legendary in his unit, a fellow pilot, Archibald James, described him as "The funniest man I have ever met. He kept me in roars of laughter the whole time".
A replica Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, the plane he had flown in as a Lieutenant, along with a plaque dedicatated to him, hangs in the main hall of the Imperial War Museum, London.
Considering his bravery and achievements, it is poignant that he is not remembered on any memorials other than the one at his old school. He was a pupil of Bedford Modern School 1901-03 and is commemorated on the School�s War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1923 and in the Roll of Honour, published in The Eagle, December 1923.
Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com.
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