Captain Ralph Bertram KITE, MC.

2nd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, died on the 10th December 2016 of wounds received on 13th November, age 21. Buried Plot 2. Row O. Grave 7. LE TREPORT MILITARY CEMETERY.

The only son of Reverend J B KITE & Mrs E E KITE of St Peters Vicarage, Ealing.

He was educated at Marlborough and Keble College, Oxford. Went to Sandhurst at the outbreak of the war.

He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Regiment on 11th November 1914 and joined the 2nd Battalion in France on 23rd March 1915.

Promoted temporary Lieutenant 6th September 1915 when in charge of the 5th Brigade bombing school.

On returning to the Regiment he was given command of D Company.

He was twice mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the MC in the London Gazette on 20th October 1916 – “For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He did fine work organizing the attack and displayed great coolness and utter disregard for danger. When the Bombers holding one if our saps had become casualties, he went at once to the spot, organised the defence and threw bombs himself.”

 

For more information see Keeble College web site - http://www.keble.ox.ac.uk/about/past/keble-and-the-great-war/roll-of-honour-1914-1918/captain-ralph-bertram-kite-1913

 

 

 

Kevin Tobin