Walter William Kelly

Story:
Walter William Kelly was born at Rushmore, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, on 10 Aug 1893 the son of Charles Kelly and Mary Elizabeth Kelly (nee Kiddle).  He lived all his early life at 9 White Hazel Cottages, Rushmore, until he enlisted on 29 Jan 1916 and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 23656).  He served with the 2nd Battalion in France and Flanders and was hospitalized on 4 Aug 1916 at the Etaples Military Hospital, France, suffering from dysentry and subsequently repatriated to the UK where, on his recovery, was transferred to the 447th Agricultural Labour Company, Labour Corps, on 16 Dec 1917 and later on the 442nd Company (Service No. 496004).  He was discharged on 24 Sep 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as a small but short lived pension.  The 1921 Census shows him living with his brother and sister in Water Street, Berwick St. John, working as a District Council Roadman for the local Parish Council. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Grovely Cottage, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, still single and working as a General Labourer.  His eventual marriage to Ethel Amelia Bradley was recorded in Mere, Wiltshire, during 1944.  He died locally on 24 Feb 1968.