Soldier Record
Simon Kelly
Contributed by: Peter Kelly, on 2008-11-14
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | Simon |
| Surname | Kelly |
| Year of Birth | 1890 |
| Year of Death | 1916 |
| Regiment | Irish Guards |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland |
Simon's Story
Simon Kelly was the eldest of a family of two boys and six girls. He left Ireland and travelled to Wales where he worked as a pit labourer and resided at 20 Water St, Carmarthen. He joined the Irish Guards in Carmarthen on 28 December 1915 and trained at Caterham Barracks from 29 December 1915. He left Southampton on 26 August 1916, arriving in Harfleur on 27 August 1916. On 16 September 1915 he joined the 7th Entrenching Battalion and transferred to 2nd Battalion Irish Guards on 21 September 1916. He was killed in action on 26 September 1916 at Les Boeufs.
A note received by his family from his chaplain stated:-
"I am sorry to have to tell you in reply to your enquiries that No. 10703 Pte. S. Kelly was killed on 26th September. He formed one of a party protecting wires in front of the line. A shell fell among the party killing six wounding others. It will be a comfort for you to know that I gave the lads absolution and the Holy Fathers blessing and Plenary Indulgence just as we were starting for the trenches."
He is commemorated on Pier 7D of the Thiepval Memorial.
Fondly remembered by his family
No additional memories have been submitted