BORN HULL 30/09/1892. ONLY SON OF MICHAEL KELLY (1864- 1949) & THE LATE SUSANNA KELLY (1867-1896). HIS FATHER WAS SUPERINTENDENT AT HULL’S GENERAL CEMETERY.
HE VOLUNTEERED AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. ENLISTED IN THE 1/4TH EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. POSTED TO FRANCE, WITH COLONELSHAWS “FIGHTING FOURTHS”. SURVIVED THE FIERCE BATTLE AT ST JULIAN. PROMOTED TO LANCE CORPORAL. KILLED BY A GERMAN ‘MINEWEFER’ WHICH KILLED TWO OTHER MEN, ON 22/04/1916, AGED 24.
HIS PLATOON COMMANDER DESCRIBED HIM AS “AN EXCELLENT AND CHEERY SOLDIER. I KNOW ALL THE MEN LIKED HIM AND HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED IN THE SECTION.” HE WAS BURIED TWO MILES BEHIND THE LINE BY A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN.
HE IS RECORDED ON THE ST CHARLES BORROMEO R.C.CHURCH MEMORIAL AND AT ST VINCENT’S CHURCH, QUEENS ROAD, HULL. HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH ON 4TH MAY 1916. *
Military 1914 • Army Service Medals
Military Year: 1914-1915 Rank: Private Medal Awarded: 1914-15 Star Regiment or Corps: East Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 2415
