Frederick Stanley Kelly
 

Jul 5, 1891

Born in Campbellton, New Brunswick

 

Aug 5, 1915

Attested into the 55th Battalion CEF in Sussex, New Brunswick 

Ø      Number 445377

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Annie J. Kelly, mother, Campbellton, New Brunswick

Ø      Previous occupation given as Blacksmith

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company 

Private Kelly was sent to Valcartier, Quebec to join the battalion for training

 

Oct 30, 1915

Embarked the SS Corsican in Montreal, Quebec

 

Nov 9, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training

 

Jan 24, 1916

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal

 

Apr 6, 1916

Transferred to the Brigade Machine Gun Depot at the 36th Battalion in West Sandling

 

Jun 23, 1916

Transferred to the machine gun depot at the 86th Battalion at Shorncliffe

 

Aug 1, 1916

Married to Elizabeth Jessie Olive Jones in London, England.  I could not determine the actual date of the marriage, but a pay assignment and separation allowance was authorized on this date for his wife.  I assume the marriage took place sometime the previous month.

 

Aug 24, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 25, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 107 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion 

On arrival he reverted to the rank of Private

 

Aug 28, 1916

After leaving the base depot Private Kelly joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Zouafques, France

 

Sep 15, 1916

The 21st Battalion was assigned the objective of a strong point in a sugar refinery near Courcelette as their part in the Battle of the Somme.  It was to be the first time the Canadian Corps had used tanks in combat.  The German defences were well built and the fighting was severe.  Private Kelly was killed during the battle and his body was never recovered from the battlefield.  As a result, his name is listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed in France with no known grave.

 

 

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. E.J.O. Kelly, 7 Bond St., South, Ashford, Kent, England

 

A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Annie Kelly, Campbellton, New Brunswick

 

Jan 30, 1917

A son, Frederick Stanley Kelly was born in London, England

 

2010

For the 7 nights leading up to November 11, 2010, the names of all Canadian soldiers killed during the war were projected onto the Belgian War Memorial in Ypres.  At the same time, the same names were being broadcast via the internet to schools across Belgium and Canada.  The image above shows the opening ceremonies at the Belgian War Memorial on November 4, 2010. 

Below on the left is the name of Frederick Kelly being projected on that wall.  Below right shows the name being broadcast to the schools.  Each name appeared for 25 seconds and each night 9,700 names were shown.


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