John Kelly

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 18/05/2017 - 12:34

First Name:

John

Last Name:

Kelly

Mother's Name:

Jane Kelly nee Smith

Father's Name:

James Kelly

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, October 6, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

13th Light Trench Mortar Battery

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

John Kelly (Service No 1044) was born in Sydney, NSW in 1892.

At the time of enlistment in Victoria, John was single, 22 years of age, employed as a labourer and had served 3 years in the St George Rifles.

John embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on HMAT A5 - Omrah with the 9th Battalion, D Company on 24 September 1914 for Egypt arriving on 25 April 1915.

On 13 May 1915 he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

John fought at Gallipoli, Turkey and was wounded in action during the Turkish attack on 19 May 1915. He was treated for a gun shot wound to his right hand but remained with his Unit.

John was evacuated to hospital with a fever on 3 October 1915 with fever and did not return to his Unit in Gallipoli, Turkey.

On 25 February 1916, John was transferred to 49th Battalion and arriving in France on 12 June 1916. He saw service on the Western Front with 49th Battalion until he was transferred to the 13th Light Trench Mortar Battery on 5 October 1916.

John was wounded in action on 13 August 1917 but returned to duty on 22 August 1917.

John was returned to Australia in December 1918 for 1914 leave.

John was discharged on 25th March 1919.

John's brother William Kelly also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, KELLY J