Captain John Middleton Kelly, R.A. (1911 - 1941)
Killed in action at Tobruk
Photograph: Courtesy of 'The Whitehaven News'
For additional information click on 'Comments' below.
posted by ritsonvaljos at 7:16 pm
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Killed in action at Tobruk
Photograph: Courtesy of 'The Whitehaven News'
For additional information click on 'Comments' below.
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Additional information
Some biographical details
Captain John Middleton Kelly, R.A. (1911 - 1941) from Whitehaven, Cumberland (now Cumbria) was a pre-war Territorial officer with the Royal Artillery. He was called up on the outbreak of war in 1939 and went overseas shortly afterwards. Captain Kelly was killed in action at Tobruk on 30 April 1941. His final resting place is at Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya (Grave Ref. 3.P.3).
In civilian life Captain John M. Kelly was employed by the Westminster Bank, principally in the branches at Egremont and Cleator Moor. Before the war John Kelly played in the forwards for Moresby Rugby Union side and was the club captain. He had also taken part in trials for the Cumberland county side.
John Middleton Kelly was the son of Captain John Allinson Kelly, M.N., and Elinor Anne Kelly (née Oldfield) and the husband of Martina Mary Kelly (née Braithwaite) originally of Egremont. Captain and Mrs Kelly were married in 1935 and they had three young children. Their eldest daughter was just 5 years old when Captain Kelly was killed.
To add to the family's sorrow at this time, Captain John Kelly's mother, Mrs Elinor A. Kelly, died shortly after hearing of her son's death. Mrs Kelly died on 5 July 1941. She was 61 years of age.
Before the war Captain and Mrs Kelly's family home was at "Oakside", Loop Road North, Whitehaven. In 1947 Mrs Kelly and her 3 children - Rosemary, John and Jennifer - lived at 1 Marine Terrace, Whitehaven. Captain John M. Kelly is commemorated on the WW2 memorial of St James' Parish Church, Whitehaven and the Borough of Whitehaven WW2 'Book of Remembrance'.
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CWGC citation
Below is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission citation for Captain John Middleton KELLY:
Name: KELLY, JOHN MIDDLETON
Rank: Captain
Service No: 78395
Date of Death: 30/04/1941
Age: 30
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
51 (The Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry)
Field Regt.
Grave Reference: 3. P. 3.
Cemetery: TOBRUK WAR CEMETERY, Libya
Additional Information:
Son of Captain John Allison Kelly, Merchant Navy, and Elinor Anne Kelly, of Whitehaven, Cumberland;
Husband of Martina Mary Kelly, of Whitehaven.
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Dedication
This article is dedicated to the memory of Captain John Middleton Kelly, R.A.
May he rest in peace!
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Acknowledgements
Cumbria County Archives & Local History Centre
(Whitehaven Records Office)
The Whitehaven News
Mr Stuart Nicholson
(Parish Archivist, Church of England Parish of Whitehaven)
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