John Kelly

Died of Wounds 03/07/1916 at No. 2 Stationary Hospital, Abbeville. Wounds received on the 29/06/1916 during bombardments before the opening of the Battles of the Somme

In March 1915 the Battalion sailed, going via Egypt, and landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on 25/04/1915 (John arrived there on the 12/07/1915). In January 1916 the Battalion were evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt. On the 18/03/1916 they landed at Marseilles for service in France. They were part of the 87th Brigade, 29th Division. John Died of Wounds received on the 29/06/1916 during the bombardments, which preceded the British attack at the Somme, at No. 2 Stationary Hospital in Abbeville. The bombardment plan - The two extra days : Y1 and Y2 Days, 29th - 30th June 1916 : "The weather brightened although it was still far from perfect for observing the effects of the firing. 171 enemy batteries were spotted in action (but little counter battery work was done until 30th June) and fires were seen in many places in and behind the German lines. Smoke and some gas was released and the enemy reacted, firing machine guns and putting down barrages on No Man's Land and the front lines. Raids began to bring back brighter news of large gaps in the wire, although observers in the British front lines also reported much intact wire. On the Beaumont Hamel front, 4th Division and 29th Division reported that the wire was passable everywhere. A German deserter from Mametz said that they expected an attack and wished it would come, as the men had had no food for three days". SEE PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JUNE - JULY 1916. John is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, Abbeville Communal Cemetery, John's Pension Records x 3 and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Cap Badge. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 29th DIVISION BOOK JANUARY - JULY 1916, the 29th Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he was wounded) and Newspaper clippings x 6 (Coatbridge Express x 2, Coatbridge Leader x 3 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).