1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
03/07/1910
Died:
06/03/1944 (Killed in Action)
Age:
33
Summary
William Kelly was the son of Mary Kelly. He was born on 3rd July 1910. They lived at Factory Square, Cookstown. William Kelly worked as a farm labourer prior to enlisting in the army on 14th December 1933. He served in Egypt, Palestine and India. Fusilier William Kelly was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Burma on 6th March 1944.
Further Information
William Kelly was the son of Mary Kelly. William Kelly was born on 3rd July 1910. They lived at Factory Square, Cookstown, and formerly of Gortagilly, Moneymore.
William was a pupil of Oldtown Boys School under Mr G Ramsay, J.P., and for six years he did not miss a single day of school.
William Kelly worked as a farm labourer prior to enlisting in the army on 14th December 1933.
Fusilier William Kelly served in Egypt, Palestine and India.
He reenlisted in 1942.
In 1943, William’s mother received a telegram, dated 2nd February 1943, stating that her son had died of wounds in Madagascar. Further notification was sent on that he had been wounded and taken to hospital from where he was discharged and returned to his unit. The telegram stated that the War Office sincerely regretted the misinformation and the anxiety it may have caused.
Fusilier William Kelly was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Burma on 6th March 1944 whilst defending Brigade Headquarters from the Japanese.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 1st April 1944:
Mrs Hodgett, of Factory Square, Cookstown, has been informed by the War Office that her son, William Kelly, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, has been killed in action overseas. This young soldier was about 30 years of age. He ws a pupil of Oldtown Boys School under Mr G Ramsay, J.P., and for six years he did not miss a single day of school. He joined up about two years ago. His brother, David, also saw service in the present war, and is interned in Switzerland.
After Fusilier Kelly’s death, the following letters sent to his mother, now Mrs Hodgett, at Factory Square, Cookstown.
Letter dated 8th March 1944 from Reverend Peter Mayhew, Chaplain to the Forces
‘Dear Mrs Kelly, You will have heard long before this reaches you of the loss of your son, Fusilier Kelly. May I tell you how deeply we feel for you, and how sorry are all his comrades in the Brigade. We buried him in the shade of a tree in a green valley in Burma. Later on, his body will be put in a war cemetery and a beautiful stone will be put up in place of the little cross which now marks his grave. May God bless you and strengthen and comfort you in your loss until the day of reunion. With our very deep sympathy to you and all who mourn your son. Yours Sincerely, Peter Mayhew. C.F. 2nd Battalion, East Lancs Regiment, India Command (Burma).’
Letter dated 18th March 1944 from Captain Davies
‘My dear Mrs Kelly, I am writing to offer you on my own behalf and on behalf of all ranks of this Headquarters our deepest sympathy in the heavy loss you have sustained in the death of your brave son, Fusilier Kelly. He was killed at his post bravely resisting an attack by the Japanese on this Headquarters. He died instantaneously doing his duty well and conscientiously as he has always done it since I have known him. I can assure you that no man was more liked by all who came into contact with him than your son and his quiet willingness earned him the respect of everyone with whom he came into contact. By his death we have all lost a friend and the British Army a fine soldier. Our Padre will have written to you telling you of your son’s burial, and a suitable cross has been erected to mark his resting place and that of the brave fellows who died with him. We shall all mourn his loss but our sorrow will be slight compared to yours, but believe me you have the deepest sympathy of us all. Yours sincerely, Captain Davies, H.Q. 29 Infantry Brigade Group, India Command (Burma).’
Fusilier William Kelly is buried at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma.
His brother, David Kelly, also served in the war. He was captured and interned in Switzerland.
