Frank Edmund Kelly

Royal Navy

Personal Details

Born: 2 March 1888 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of five children born to Robert Edmund Kelly, a plumber and painter, and his wife Sarah. He married Ellen Annie Comer (known as Nellie) on 18 August 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and together they had four children – Hugh Henry, Stanley, William and Helen (who sadly died in infancy).

Residence: In 1891 he lived with his family in Church Street, Ightfield, Shropshire; by 1901 they had moved to 8 Brownlow Street, Whitchurch. Frank enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1907; at some point he emigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal. In 1935 he was living at 677 6th Avenue, Montreal.

Education: He was admitted to Ightfield School on 1 May 1893 and left in November 1898.

Employment: Prior to joining the Navy in 1907 he was a painter; he served in the Royal Navy from 1907 to 1919; at some time after he emigrated he served in the Royal Canadian Navy; in 1935 he was a janitor.

Died: 25 October 1943 in Montreal, aged 54.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Navy

Rank: Able Seaman

Service Number: J10002 (previously SS2034)

Date of Enlistment: 13 August 1907

Date of Discharge: 15 August 1919

Reason for Discharge: Completion of contracted period of service

Medals and Awards

Frank was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.

The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.


 

 


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