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Corporal William John Kelly
Description
TitleCorporal William John KellySummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born at Doyleston on 4 May 1885, son of William and Ellen Kelly. He was educated at the local school. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in farm work in the Ellesmere district, his last employer being Mr R. L. Williams. He had had an operation to deal with a hernia in early 1916 and was pronounced fit as the wound had healed. His height was not recorded but he had a fair complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair.
William enlisted on 4th April 1916 and was assigned to 15th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He trained at Trentham and embarked from Wellington on 26 July 1916 for Europe. He arrived in Devonport and Sling Camp on 3rd October and then on to France on 20th October. He was attached to the strength in Etaples on 21st October. He joined the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment and was posted to 13th Company in the field on 8 November. The following year he was attached to the Area Officer for 10 days from 2nd April. Later in the year on 30 September he was attached to the Reinforcement Camp for 3 weeks. He was granted leave in England before Christmas leaving on 16 December and returning after New Year on 4 Jan 1918. A few weeks afterward he was sent on leave to Paris on 25 January, returning on 6th February. Four months later on 12 June he was appointed Lance-Corporal and then a month later Corporal, in both cases to replace another soldier who had been reduced in rank or promoted. He was wounded in action on 25 August, suffering a gunshot wound to his thigh. At this time the Regiment was in action in the fighting to over-run Bapaume. Taken up by the ambulance he was admitted to No.3 Australian General Hospital at Abbeville on 26 August. Sadly he died of his wounds the following day, aged 33. He was buried in the Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Doyleston War Memorial.
Abbeville is a French town in the Picardy region where the Somme river becomes a canal. For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The Communal Cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916.First NameWilliam JohnLast NameKellyFamilySingleSon of William and Ellen KellyDate of Birth4 May 1885Place of BirthDoylestonDate of Death27 August 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathDied of woundsAge at Death33
William enlisted on 4th April 1916 and was assigned to 15th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He trained at Trentham and embarked from Wellington on 26 July 1916 for Europe. He arrived in Devonport and Sling Camp on 3rd October and then on to France on 20th October. He was attached to the strength in Etaples on 21st October. He joined the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment and was posted to 13th Company in the field on 8 November. The following year he was attached to the Area Officer for 10 days from 2nd April. Later in the year on 30 September he was attached to the Reinforcement Camp for 3 weeks. He was granted leave in England before Christmas leaving on 16 December and returning after New Year on 4 Jan 1918. A few weeks afterward he was sent on leave to Paris on 25 January, returning on 6th February. Four months later on 12 June he was appointed Lance-Corporal and then a month later Corporal, in both cases to replace another soldier who had been reduced in rank or promoted. He was wounded in action on 25 August, suffering a gunshot wound to his thigh. At this time the Regiment was in action in the fighting to over-run Bapaume. Taken up by the ambulance he was admitted to No.3 Australian General Hospital at Abbeville on 26 August. Sadly he died of his wounds the following day, aged 33. He was buried in the Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Doyleston War Memorial.
Abbeville is a French town in the Picardy region where the Somme river becomes a canal. For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The Communal Cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916.First NameWilliam JohnLast NameKellyFamilySingleSon of William and Ellen KellyDate of Birth4 May 1885Place of BirthDoylestonDate of Death27 August 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathDied of woundsAge at Death33
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDoyleston War MemorialLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or Cemetery Abbeville Communal Cemetery ExtensionDoyleston War MemorialEllesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarm Hand Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details4th April 1916Service Number15557Embarkation26th July 1916Place of EmbarkationWellington Reinforcement15th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Taken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Corporal William John Kelly. Selwyn Stories, accessed 26/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/222