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Henry Kelly (VC)
Encyclopedia
Major Henry Kelly VC
, MC & Bar
(10 July 1887 – 18 July 1960) was an English
recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
Kelly was born on 10 July 1887 in Collyhurst
, Manchester
. He was a temporary second lieutenant
in the 10th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment during the First World War
at the time of his award of the Victoria Cross in 1916. He was awarded a Military Cross and later a Bar to that medal in Italy in 1918. Other Military awards include the Belgian Croix de guerre
, the French Médaille militaire
and the Spanish Grand Laurelled Cross of San Fernando
.
. He was left the oldest of 10 children after his father died in 1904. He was educated at St Patricks School, Manchester and the Xaverian College
at Victoria Park in Manchester. After moving to King Street in Moston
he was employed as a sorting clerk at the Newton Street sorting office and trained with the 'Manchester Royal Engineers territorial Regiment'. On 5 September 1914, aged 27, he enlisted into the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
as a private. He transferred to the Manchester Regiment and became a Lance Corporal and two weeks later a Sergeant Major. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant on 12 May 1915 into the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
(West Riding Regiment). On 29 October 1918 he was awarded the Victoria Cross and after being presented with his VC ribbon, by the corps commander on 11 September he was made a Temporary Lieutenant.
, France
for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Later he was also awarded the Belgian Croix de guerre
and the French Médaille militaire
.
"For most conspicuous bravery in an attack. He twice rallied his company under the heaviest fire, and finally led the only three available men into the enemy trench, and there remained bombing until two of them had become casualties and enemy reinforcements had arrived. He then carried his Company Sergeant Major, who had been wounded, back to our trenches, a distance of 70 yards, and subsequently three other soldiers. He set a fine example of gallantry and endurance."
Plateau, where he led a company and a half on a successful raid on 'Ave', to the south of Asiago, on the night of 21 - 22 June, after which he was awarded the Military Cross.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Ave, on the night of the 21/22nd June, 1918, when in charge of a company and a half in a raid. Despite a bright moon, he successfully assembled his party and attacked, killing a large number of the enemy and capturing thirty-one prisoners and two machine-guns. His gallantry and fine leadership were largely responsible for the success of the raid"
"Headquarters 'G'
23rd Division
REPORT ON RAID ON AVE CARRIED OUT BY 10TH DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S REGIMENT NIGHT 21/22ND JUNE 1918
1. The raiding party one coy with two platoons in support under CAPT H KELLY, VC formed up without incident and the advance commenced at 11.30pm according to time table.
2. S.AVE was found to be very lightly held (it is possible that the remainder of the garrison fled when the barrage came down) and was quickly mopped up. An Outpost or working party was also met with about 100 yds in front of the front trench. These were mostly killed, the remainder fled, and the advance was in no way delayed.
3. The enemy's front line was entered at 11.40pm on a frontage of 200 yds E of the GUARDINALTI - AVE Road. The trench was found to be very strongly held, a Coy apparently being concentrated for relief.
4. The raiding party was thoroughly imbued with the "spirit of the bayonet" and the greater part of the garrison was wiped out with cold steel after slight resistance. All dugouts were thoroughly bombed. There can be no doubt that the number of enemy killed was very high, even after making full allowance for the impossibility of obtaining really accurate figures. With some difficulty the officers of the party were able to ensure that 31 of the enemy were brought back alive for identification purposes etc. All are convinced that this formed less than a third of the garrison of the trench.
5. One machine gun was captured in good condition. Another was captured but had been so damaged by artillery fire that it was not worth salving. One Flammenwerfer was also obtained.
6. The raiding party returned in good order through the enemy's barrage about 12 midnight without incurring further casualties.
7. Result of raid:
Prisoners 31.
Enemy killed:
Highest estimate 80,
Lowest estimate 50,
M.G's captured 2,
M.G's destroyed 1,
Flammenwerfer captured 1.
8. Casualties:
Killed 1 other rank.
Wounded 1 officer, 18 other ranks.
Missing 1 officer, 2 other ranks.
sgd. A B BEAUMAN, Brig.Gen
Cmdg 69th Infantry Brigade"
he led another successful attack across the Piave, after which he was awarded a bar to his Military Cross.
"On the 27th October, 1918, in the attack in the enemy positions across the Piave, he led his company with greatest dash and gallantry to the capture of all its objectives. His coolness and utter disregard of danger under heavy fire of all description inspired all ranks, and by his skilful leadership his company succeeded in taking many machine-guns and several hundred prisoners."
Kelly left the army in 1920, having been promoted to the rank of Temporary Major and put in charge of a rest camp in France.
in the Spanish Civil War
and was ranked Commandente Generale. Here he was awarded the Grand Laurelled Cross of San Fernando
.
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, aged 52, he rejoined the British army and served from as a Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment
. From October 9143 until February 1944 he was placed in charge of the District Claims office of London District, at Curzon Street. He was at that time Court Martialled
and severely reprimanded for making, an allegedly, false claim for Two Pounds and ten Shillings. He later resigned his commission and left the army to return to work for the Post office.
, Greater Manchester. Following a long illness Kelly died, on 18 January 1960, in Prestwich
Hospital. He was buried after a private funeral, attended by members of his family and representatives of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)
, in the Southern Cemetery
, Manchester.
, Halifax
, West Yorkshire
, England
.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, MC & Bar
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(10 July 1887 – 18 July 1960) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Kelly was born on 10 July 1887 in Collyhurst
Collyhurst
Collyhurst is a locality in Manchester. It is 1½ miles northeast of Manchester city centre, on Rochdale Road and Oldham Road. The River Irk passes through the area...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. He was a temporary second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the 10th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
at the time of his award of the Victoria Cross in 1916. He was awarded a Military Cross and later a Bar to that medal in Italy in 1918. Other Military awards include the Belgian Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
, the French Médaille militaire
Médaille militaire
The Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
and the Spanish Grand Laurelled Cross of San Fernando
Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand , commonly known as Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand , is Spain's highest military award for gallantry...
.
Early life
Henry Kelly was born to Charles Kelly of Dublin and Jane (nee McGarry) of ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. He was left the oldest of 10 children after his father died in 1904. He was educated at St Patricks School, Manchester and the Xaverian College
Xaverian College
Xaverian Roman Catholic Sixth form College is a College in the city of Manchester.-Admissions:It lies in the inner city suburb of Rusholme close to Wilmslow Road and Oxford Road...
at Victoria Park in Manchester. After moving to King Street in Moston
Moston, Greater Manchester
Moston is a district of Manchester, in North West England, approximately 3 miles north east of the city centre. Historically a part of Lancashire, Moston is a predominantly residential area, with a population of about 12,500 and covering approximately .-History:The name Moston may derive...
he was employed as a sorting clerk at the Newton Street sorting office and trained with the 'Manchester Royal Engineers territorial Regiment'. On 5 September 1914, aged 27, he enlisted into the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1793. In 1961 it was merged with the Seaforth Highlanders to form the Queen's Own Highlanders...
as a private. He transferred to the Manchester Regiment and became a Lance Corporal and two weeks later a Sergeant Major. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant on 12 May 1915 into the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
Duke of Wellington's Regiment
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.In 1702 Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city of Gloucester. As was the custom in those days...
(West Riding Regiment). On 29 October 1918 he was awarded the Victoria Cross and after being presented with his VC ribbon, by the corps commander on 11 September he was made a Temporary Lieutenant.
Award of Victoria Cross
On 4 October 1916, when he was 29 years old, he performed an act of bravery at Le SarsLe Sars
Le Sars is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Le Sars is situated south of Arras, at the junction of the D11 and the D929 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Later he was also awarded the Belgian Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
and the French Médaille militaire
Médaille militaire
The Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
.
"For most conspicuous bravery in an attack. He twice rallied his company under the heaviest fire, and finally led the only three available men into the enemy trench, and there remained bombing until two of them had become casualties and enemy reinforcements had arrived. He then carried his Company Sergeant Major, who had been wounded, back to our trenches, a distance of 70 yards, and subsequently three other soldiers. He set a fine example of gallantry and endurance."
Award of Military Cross
In June 1918, as a Captain serving in the 10th Battalion, he saw action in Italy on the AsiagoAsiago
Asiago is the name of both a minor township and the surrounding plateau region in the Province of Vicenza in the Veneto region of Northeastern Italy...
Plateau, where he led a company and a half on a successful raid on 'Ave', to the south of Asiago, on the night of 21 - 22 June, after which he was awarded the Military Cross.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Ave, on the night of the 21/22nd June, 1918, when in charge of a company and a half in a raid. Despite a bright moon, he successfully assembled his party and attacked, killing a large number of the enemy and capturing thirty-one prisoners and two machine-guns. His gallantry and fine leadership were largely responsible for the success of the raid"
"Headquarters 'G'
23rd Division
REPORT ON RAID ON AVE CARRIED OUT BY 10TH DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S REGIMENT NIGHT 21/22ND JUNE 1918
1. The raiding party one coy with two platoons in support under CAPT H KELLY, VC formed up without incident and the advance commenced at 11.30pm according to time table.
2. S.AVE was found to be very lightly held (it is possible that the remainder of the garrison fled when the barrage came down) and was quickly mopped up. An Outpost or working party was also met with about 100 yds in front of the front trench. These were mostly killed, the remainder fled, and the advance was in no way delayed.
3. The enemy's front line was entered at 11.40pm on a frontage of 200 yds E of the GUARDINALTI - AVE Road. The trench was found to be very strongly held, a Coy apparently being concentrated for relief.
4. The raiding party was thoroughly imbued with the "spirit of the bayonet" and the greater part of the garrison was wiped out with cold steel after slight resistance. All dugouts were thoroughly bombed. There can be no doubt that the number of enemy killed was very high, even after making full allowance for the impossibility of obtaining really accurate figures. With some difficulty the officers of the party were able to ensure that 31 of the enemy were brought back alive for identification purposes etc. All are convinced that this formed less than a third of the garrison of the trench.
5. One machine gun was captured in good condition. Another was captured but had been so damaged by artillery fire that it was not worth salving. One Flammenwerfer was also obtained.
6. The raiding party returned in good order through the enemy's barrage about 12 midnight without incurring further casualties.
7. Result of raid:
Prisoners 31.
Enemy killed:
Highest estimate 80,
Lowest estimate 50,
M.G's captured 2,
M.G's destroyed 1,
Flammenwerfer captured 1.
8. Casualties:
Killed 1 other rank.
Wounded 1 officer, 18 other ranks.
Missing 1 officer, 2 other ranks.
sgd. A B BEAUMAN, Brig.Gen
Cmdg 69th Infantry Brigade"
Award of Bar to Military Cross
Kelly was involved in later actions on Il Montello above the river Piave On 27 October 1918 during the PiaveBattle of the Piave River
The Battle of the Piave River , known in Italy as Battaglia del Solstizio , Battaglia di Mezzo Giugno , or Seconda Battaglia del Piave , was a decisive victory for the Italian Army during World War...
he led another successful attack across the Piave, after which he was awarded a bar to his Military Cross.
"On the 27th October, 1918, in the attack in the enemy positions across the Piave, he led his company with greatest dash and gallantry to the capture of all its objectives. His coolness and utter disregard of danger under heavy fire of all description inspired all ranks, and by his skilful leadership his company succeeded in taking many machine-guns and several hundred prisoners."
Kelly left the army in 1920, having been promoted to the rank of Temporary Major and put in charge of a rest camp in France.
Between the wars
Kelly went on to join the 'International Brigade', in 1936, as a foreign volunteer fighting against FascistsFascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
and was ranked Commandente Generale. Here he was awarded the Grand Laurelled Cross of San Fernando
Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand , commonly known as Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand , is Spain's highest military award for gallantry...
.
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, aged 52, he rejoined the British army and served from as a Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment
Cheshire Regiment
The Cheshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division.The regiment was created in 1881 as part of the Childers reforms by the linking of the 22nd Regiment of Foot and the militia and rifle volunteers of Cheshire...
. From October 9143 until February 1944 he was placed in charge of the District Claims office of London District, at Curzon Street. He was at that time Court Martialled
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
and severely reprimanded for making, an allegedly, false claim for Two Pounds and ten Shillings. He later resigned his commission and left the army to return to work for the Post office.
Post War
Kelley continued to work for the post office and lived in WythenshaweWythenshawe
Wythenshawe is a district in the south of the city of Manchester, England.Formerly part of the administrative county of Cheshire, in 1931 Wythenshawe was transferred to the City of Manchester, which had begun building a massive housing estate there in the 1920s to resolve the problem of its inner...
, Greater Manchester. Following a long illness Kelly died, on 18 January 1960, in Prestwich
Prestwich
Prestwich is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies close to the River Irwell, north of Manchester city centre, north of Salford and south of Bury....
Hospital. He was buried after a private funeral, attended by members of his family and representatives of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)
Duke of Wellington's Regiment
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.In 1702 Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city of Gloucester. As was the custom in those days...
, in the Southern Cemetery
Southern Cemetery, Manchester
Southern Cemetery, Manchester is a large municipal cemetery in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Greater Manchester, England, three miles south of Manchester city centre: it was opened in 1879...
, Manchester.
Medal Location
Kelly's Victoria Cross is displayed in The Duke of Wellington's Regimental Museum, located within the Bankfield MuseumBankfield Museum
Bankfield Museum is a grade II listed historic house museum, incorporating a regimental museum and textiles gallery in Boothtown, Halifax, England...
, Halifax
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.