KELLY, Patrick John
| Service Number: | 105 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Carroll, New South Wales, March 1896 |
| Home Town: | Carroll, Gunnedah, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Memorials: | Carroll and District Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 105, 34th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 105, 34th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 2 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 105, 34th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Sydney | |
| 3 Jan 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 105, 20th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 May 1918: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 105, 20th Infantry Battalion, SS 'Ruahine' for return to Australia - arrival July 5, 1918. | |
| 6 Nov 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 105, 20th Infantry Battalion, Medically unfit. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Michael Silver
The Wallaby March from Narrabri to Newcastle in December 1915 was an exciting event in the north west of New South Wales and became one of the most successful recruitment efforts of World War 1, eventually providing around 800 troops for the war effort.
Paddy Kelly from Carroll was stirred by the patriotic songs and recruiting appeals, being one of 40 recruits from the Gunnedah district to join the march on December 14, 1915. Following a night of heavy rain in company with his cousin Bert Kelly, the young men went off to war, fired with ideals of defending the empire and driving off the invader.
But the realities of war were much harsher. On the Western Front where Paddy and his cousin ended up, life's great adventure came to a shattering halt - both suffered wounds that would affect them for the rest of their lives.
In early January 1917, Paddy suffered severe gun shot wounds to his right thigh and left knee that resulted in hospitalisation for an extended period. He was invalided home just before the war ended.
Cousin Bert was wounded in the right hand in early 1918 that left him with a permanent disability. He too was returned home before the end of the war.
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