'At Wulverghem on 2nd June 1917. When hostile guns were heavily shelling the Battery position a shell landed on a dump of boxed ammunition causing the boxes to ignite. The fire obtained a good hold and a second explosion seemed imminent, when Fitter Selby and Gunner Belton accompanied by their officer rushed to the dump, and, regardless of the fact that the heat was causing shells to explode on all sides, separated by burning boxes from those untouched. When water arrived they ably assisted their officer to extinguish the fire. A heavy explosion resulting in the loss of several lives and the almost certain discovery of the Battalion position was thus averted.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 18 July 1917

Regimental number	2/345
Address	Dixon Street, Masterton
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Father, E Selby, 6 George Street, Masterton
Rank on embarkation	Driver
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, New Zealand Field Artillery
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Final rank	Fitter
Final unit	New Zealand Field Artillery
Fate	Died of wounds 5 October 1917
Age at death from cemetery records	35
Place of burial	Mendinghem Military Cemetery (Plot VII, Row B, Grave No 30), nr Ieper, Belgium,
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: Edwin and Mercy Selby, Masterton
Medals	Military Medal 'At Wulverghem on 2nd June 1917. When hostile guns were heavily shelling the Battery position a shell landed on a dump of boxed ammunition causing the boxes to ignite. The fire obtained a good hold and a second explosion seemed imminent, when Fitter Selby and Gunner Belton accompanied by their officer rushed to the dump, and, regardless of the fact that the heat was causing shells to explode on all sides, separated by burning boxes from those untouched. When water arrived they ably assisted their officer to extinguish the fire. A heavy explosion resulting in the loss of several lives and the almost certain discovery of the Battalion position was thus averted.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 18 July 1917
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Field Artillery/Main Body