Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Kelty was one of three sons of James and Harriet Kelty of Longford, Tasmania, who all enlisted and fought with the 40th Tasmanian Battalion.

William’s two brothers, George and Mervyn Kelty, were both killed in action during the war. William was twice severely wounded, was awarded a Military Medal for gallantry, and returned to Australia with his right leg amputated at the thigh.

The Hobart Mercury reported on his death in 1953, under the heading “Digger of Amazing Escapes now dead”

“A Tasmanian who was a playball for bombs friendly and enemy in the First World War died in the Repatriation General Hospital, Hobart, on Wednesday.

He was William Ellis Kelty (62), whose miraculous escapes from death in Flanders put modern escapologists into the shade.

Kelty, a native of Longford, was a member of the 40th Battalion, a unit comprised of Tasmanians. On May 30, 1917, a raiding party of the 40th Battalion attacked the Germans at Seaforth Farm. Two of the Allied soldiers were killed and 18 wounded. At that time Private Kelty was missing, but the incredible manner in which he "turned up" was witnessed by several reliable men. During the raid, Kelty jumped into an enemy trench, where a bomb burst behind him, rendering him unconscious.

When he recovered several hours later, he was severely wounded. His equipment and arms had been taken by the enemy, who had apparently left him as dead. The trench was badly damaged, and was still the target of Allied fire.

Kelty seemed unable to get clear of the bombardment so he decided to remain there. A trench mortar shell burst in the trench near him and again he lost consciousness.

At that moment, a trench mortar officer and an officer of the 39th Battalion AIF, saw the body of a man blown into the air by a burst and fall into No Man's Land. The ‘body’ then appeared to stand up, stagger and walk towards the Allied line.

It was then seen that he was an Australian. After going about 20 yards he collapsed, and an officer of the 39th Battalion jumped over the parapet, ran into No Man's Land, picked him up, and carried him in….”

Private Kelty was found to be severely wounded in several places, but gave a coherent account of what had happened. He recovered from his wounds, and rejoined the Battalion.

William was later awarded the Military Medal, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action East of Ypres on 12th October 1917. He was a stretcher bearer, and worked with great courage and determination for nearly forty-eight hours. He had to carry under particularly heavy fire and difficult conditions which required great courage and determination to overcome. His work was of a very high order.'

The 40th Battalion was making an advance of some 1000 yards on the 28 March 1918, when Pte William Kelty MM, was badly wounded in the leg by shrapnel. William’s brother, Mervyn Kelty was killed in the same action. William’s right leg had to be amputated at the thigh.

Whilst recuperating in England he must have fallen in love with a nurse, he was married to Florence Bailey on 24 June 1918, in Northamptonshire and he was returned to Australia six days later, presumably with his new bride. They raised two children in Tasmania.