Sapper Hugh Kelly

Service Number: 172054

23rd Signal Coy. Royal Engineers

Killed in Action 21st August 1918, aged 22

Son of John & Sarah Ann Kelly, 6 Stafford Street, Burnley

From the Burnley Express dated 4th September 1918: KILLED ON ITALIAN FRONT - BURNLEY POST OFFICE EMPLOYEE.

Mr and Mrs Kelly of 6 Stafford Street Burnley, have received the sad news that their son Sapper Hugh Kelly, 172054 of the Signalling Section of the Royal Engineers attached to the York and Lancashire Regiment, has been killed on the Italian front. In a letter to Mrs Kelly dated 23rd, a Roman Catholic chaplain says: "it grieves me very much to have to write and give you exceedingly sad news with regard to your son Sapper Hugh Kelly.  Unfortunately he was killed by enemy shell which burst whilst he was working in the line.  His death was instantaneous, so you have the consolation of knowing that he did not suffer.  He is buried in an advanced Cemetery on the Asiago Plateau, where his grave will be carefully tended and a cross erected ". The letter concludes with expressions of heartfelt sympathy and words of religious consolation.

Sapper Kelly was about 22 years of age and had been in the army over 2 years. He was formerly employed as a Clerk at the Burnley post office, and was connected with St John's and St. Mary's Roman Catholic churches. He was a clever and promising student at Burnley Technical School.  Two of his brothers are serving - John in the Army, and Bernard in the Navy.

Buried in Magnaboschi British Cemetery: Plot 1.  Row E.  Grave 5