Photo : Margaret Kelly with Thanks
Medal Index Card
HMHS Dieppe
James Kelly was born at 33 Croxdale Cottages, Croxdale Colliery, Durham, in 1892, the eldest son of nine children, [only eight survived], of James Kelly [born 1871 Barnsley Yorkshire], a coal Hewer, and his wife Sarah Ann Kelly, [nee Burns born 1870 Willington Durham]. They were married on the 25th April 1891 at Croxdale RC Chapel. Sarah was residing at 34 Rogerson Terrace, Croxdale, Durham, when she married.
James had six other brothers, John, Terrance, Thomas, William, Patrick and Joseph. The youngest was the only daughter Monica Kelly, born 1910, Blaydon Burn.
James Kelly, the son was educated at the Council school in Croxdale, by 1901 the family had moved [circa 1896/7], and were residing at 35 Upper Church Street, Tudhoe, Durham, as Thomas born 1899, William born 1901, Patrick born 1903, younger brothers to James were born in Tudhoe.
By 1911, the family had moved from Tudhoe, circa 1906/7, to 15 Mary Street, Blaydon Burn, Durham, and James is a Putter in the coal mine.
James enlisted in the 1/9th Battalion (Territorial) Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Blaydon on the 23rd September 1914, as a Territorial, with the service number 2849.
He gave his residence address as Hanover House in Winlaton. He had originally signed up for four years in the United Kingdom only.
James then was based at Ravensworth Castle which was then the brigade camp. In October 1914, the battalion along with the rest of the Brigade moved to the Newcastle area where further exercises were undertaken in defence and attack as well as the usual route marches. The battalion then was asked to volunteer for active service overseas in December 1914.
In April 1915, the battalion received orders to proceed overseas, and James was posted to France on the 20th April 1915, embarking at Folkestone and disembarking at Boulogne. Arriving at night they marched up the steep hill to Ostrovhe and St Martin's Camp.
The battalion then boarded the train for Le Havre and on toward Cassel. Here it detrained and they marched to Terdeghen camp, officers in farmhouse men in the barns.
It was usual for new units to be gradually introduced to life in the trenches, the 1/9th Battalion were ordered forward into what was known as the Battle of St Julien, which lasted from the 24th April to the 4th May.
They marched to Vlamertinghe. Here they found the Canadians who were in a sorry state due to the heavy fighting the previous day. On the 24th April they continued to march towards Ypres.
On the 25th January 1916, James had scalded his left foot and was ordered to go to the hospital, [How his foot was scalded is not mentioned] by Field Ambulance. He was admitted to the 17th Casualty Clearing Station, then based at Remy (siding), then transported by the St Johns Ambulance Brigade to no 6 B.R.C.S. at Etaples.
He re-joined his unit on the 17th March 1916. On the 10th April, he was admitted to hospital for Dental work, at St Omer, to be fitted with false teeth. James returned to his unit on the 22nd July 1916.
On the 16th September 1916, whilst in 'D' Company, he was wounded in the right hand, badly wounded little finger, [the battalion were now involved in the Battle known as the Battle of Flers- Courcelette, 15th September to the 22nd September, a phase of the Battle of the Somme. This was also the first use of the Tank in modern warfare. The enemy position in front of them consisted of three lines of trenches, the first line was called Hook Trench, the second line consisted of Martin Trench, the Bow and the Starfish line. The third trench was a continuation of the Starfish line and Pru trench. Lieutenant Colonel Bradford led the 1/9th Battalion from its starting position in Mametz Wood at 6.20am. Two companies moved to Mill Street and two companies to Chalk Road. The whole battalion then moved to Hook Trench at 3pm. The orders were to attack Starfish Line and Pru Trench at 6pm, this was delayed until 9.40pm. Four waves of two Durham Battalions stormed the position but enfilading fire from the flanks caused heavy casualties. The first two waves managed to get to within 30 yards of Pru Trench, where they dug in. These were eventually all killed, except four un-wounded men who crawled back to the battalion. The Durhams dug in behind the sunken road south of the Bow, with the 1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
James was one of 219 men wounded from this period. He was taken to the 13th Casualty Clearing Station before returning to the United Kingdom via Etaples on the 21st September 1916. He was on the hospital ship HMHS Dieppe.
After recovering from his wounds, he was posted to the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 19th January 1917, at the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. He joined the battalion in the field on the 22nd January 1917. Originally in 'B' Company but subsequently was moved to 'C' Company.
James was part of a draft of about 100 men who were sent to the 13th Battalion at this time.
The Battalion were in trenches at the front of Armagh Wood. On the 30th January James was again at the dental hospital and returned to the battalion on the 7th February 1917. On the 19th March he had a sprained ankle and was sent to the 71st Field Ambulance unit [part of the 23rd Division]. He returned on the 9th April to his unit. Then on the 16th April he sprained his ankle again and this time was sent via 70th Field Ambulance, to the 23rd Dressing Station, he then returned on the 30th April and was given light duties.
He died from his wounds on the 7th July 1917.
In the early hours of the 7th of July, a patrol of three ranks led by Second Lieutenant Frederick Youens left the battalion trenches to try and find the 17th London Regiment who were suppose to be on the right flank. They were spotted by the Germans who tried to surround them, a bombing fight ensued. The British party were forced to retire with the Second Lieutenant Youens and one man wounded, they returned to the battalion lines.
Source : With Bayonets Fixed John Sheen. Pen and Sword Ltd. ISBN 9781781590324. 2013.
He was unmarried.
There is a letter dated 8th February 1918, from the Infantry Office at York apologising for giving the Graves Registration and Enquiries [forerunner of the CWGC] the wrong details about his place of burial and death. They regretted the error.
In January 1918, his personal effects were sent to his parents and consisted of 1 tin box, containing dentures, photos, and a red book.
By 1918, his family had moved to 8 Alice Street Winlaton, Blaydon-on-Tyne where his medals were sent and received by his father.
With thanks to Margaret Kelly
James Kelly is remembered at Winlaton on W85.01 and Blaydon on B111.02
