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A Devon airman was the first fighter pilot to land in France in 1914. It was the first time a British air force had arrived in a theatre of war.

Hubert-‘Bay’-Harvey Kelly was born in Berry Pomeroy. He received his pilot’s license in May 1913. As a serving soldier he joined the Royal Flying Corps in August, exactly one year before his historic arrival in France.

Flying a BE2a, Harvey Kelly left the English coast on 13 August 1914, as part of No.2 squadron, led by Major Burke, who had intended to arrive first. But it was Harvey Kelly, having taken a different route, who was the first pilot to land in Amiens. He was two minutes ahead of his commanding officer.

Harvey Kelly served with the Royal Flying Corps in France and was awarded the DSO before being killed in action on 19 April 1917. He was shot down by the German pilot Kurt Wolff.

Harvey Kelly’s possessions were returned to his family. They include his compass, watch and cigarette case.

His historic flight was commemorated by the Western Front Association in August 2014.

Although Harvey Kelly made aviation history as the first British pilot to land in France during World War One, there are no local memorials to this daring Devon man.

Hubert Harvey Kelly is buried at Brown’s Copse cemetery in Rouex.

Location: Berry Pomeroy, Devon TQ9 6LH
Image courtesy of IWM

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