G/20836. Private Walter Ernest Thomas Kelly

Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Posted to 1st./20th. (County of London) (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment, British Expeditionary Force. Formerly G/25081 Private Reserve Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born 1900 in Stepney, Middlesex. Unmarried and a Clerk/Messenger by Trade, living at 220 Strone Road, Manor Park, London, E.12.

Medical Examination at Stratford, London, on  28th. April 1917, aged 17 years, 10 months, joining 23rd. Training Reserve Brigade.

Enlisted on 21st. July 1917 at East Ham, aged 18 years, 1 month, 5’ 7 ¼” tall, joining “A” Company, 53rd. Young Soldier Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.

Killed in Action “in a crossfire” on Sunday 2nd. June 1918, aged 18. Buried in an Unknown Grave in  Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, 2 miles SSW of Albert, France. Commemorated on Special Memorial 6. 

Son of Mr. Samuel Kelly and Mrs. Elizabeth Kelly of 220 Strone Road, Manor Park, London, E.12.

5 of Walter’s Comrades from the Battalion, 4 of whom also previously served in the Royal Sussex Regiment, were also Killed in Action on the same day, including:

631076. Company Sergeant Major Charles Henry Smith M.C., 1st./20th. (County of London) (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment.

CWGC incorrectly list him as “W T E Kelly”.

Attestation Papers incorrectly name him as “Walter Thomas Ernest Kelly” in several instances.

Memorial Plaque incorrectly cast at time of manufacture naming him as “Walter Thomas Ernest Kelly”.

STATEMENT OF THE SERVICES 

of No. 20836. 

Name Walter Thomas Ernest Kelly

Age on Enlistment 18 years 1 months

Service towards limited engagement reckons from 21.7.17.

Joined at Stratford. London. on 21.7.17.

Gen. Service. Called up for Service. 21.7.17.

97 T.R. Btn. (Y.S.) Btn. Tr. (RS)

53 Posted. 23.7.17.

R. Sussex. Regt. 4 Transferred. Pte. 8.12.17.

Base Depot. France.

Embarked 31.3.18.

Posted. Pte. 31.3.18.

Royal Sussex. 7 Posted. Pte. 31.3.18.

Posted to 7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt. 1.4.18.

R.W. Kent. Transferred. Pte. 3.4.18.

Transferred to 1/20th Bn. London Regt. 3.4.18.

London Rgt. 1/20. Posted. Pte. 3.4.18.

1/20 Killed in Action 2nd June, 1918. 

Ex. Fce. France. Pte. 2.6.18.

Killed in Action FIELD 2.6.18.

1/20 killed in a cfire 2 June 1918 Exp Force France.

Home  From  21-7-17   To  30.3.18.  253 Days

B.E.F. France  From  31.3.18.  To  2.6.18.  64 Days

Total 317 Days

The following articles of private property were sent to his father:

Note Book, Cigarette Case, Watch & Strap.

British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his father.

Memorial Plaque & Scroll were sent to his mother.

Separation allowance of 6/4 was paid to his mother.

Walter had 2 brothers: Sidney Samuel Kelly & William John Gratton Kelly, and 2 sisters: Violet E Kelly & Ethel L Kelly. 

Barry Jenkins