Personal info

  • Name: Henry KELLY
  • D.O.B: 17th Jul, 1887
  • D.O.A: 4th Oct, 1916
  • D.O.D: 18th Jan, 1960
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Temporary Second Lieutenant, 10th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, 69th Brigade, 23rd Division
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Near Le Sars, France 4 October 1916

4 October 1916

More details about:
The First World War 1916 

The British attack on the line between Le Sars and Eaucourt L’Abbaye on 1 October 1916 had provoked a counter-attack the following day when the Germans retook both Eaucourt and Le Sars, which lay to the north-west on the Albert-Bapaume road. Eaucourt was recaptured on the 3rd but fighting continued in the area. Lieutenant H Kelly, 10th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, was awarded his VC for an attack on the 4th on German positions north of the Bapaume road, south-west of Le Sars.

Citation

 For most conspicuous bravery in attack. He twice rallied his Company under the heaviest fire, and finally led the only three available men into the enemy trench, and there remained bombing until two of them had become casualties and enemy reinforcements had arrived. He then carried his Company Serjeant-Major, who had been wounded, back to our trenches, a distance of 70 yards, and subsequently three other soldiers. He set a fine example of gallantry and endurance. 

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 November 1916. 25 November 1916, Numb. 29836, p. 11526

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