KELLY, Reginald Aloysius
| Service Number: | WX9641 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 December 1940, Claremont, WA |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Geraldton, WA, 13 June 1915 |
| Home Town: | Geraldton, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Stella Maris College, Isseka School |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, New Guinea, 3 October 1943, aged 28 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lae War Cemetery IB. A. 14. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nabawa Upper Chapman Road Board District WW2 Honour Roll, Northampton WW2 Roll of Honour, Northampton War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Lance Corporal, WX9641 | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Dec 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, WX9641, 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, Claremont, WA |
My Great Uncle
To my dearest Great Uncle Reg
You served this Country and paid the ultimate sacrifice, so that WE could live with the freedom we do.
My Grandad, your brother Basil, never got over your passing, and nor should he. He was so angry about war, the needless cruelty, the death and the inhumanity and suffering. But he was angriest that his three brothers were killed.
He spoke about you often, he looked up to you and know he wishes he was beside you. He wanted us to know who you were and I am grateful that I knew the few stories I did.
I love you Uncle Reg and wish I had the chance to meet you.
Love Katherine Pritchard (nee Kelly)
Submitted 23 July 2021 by Katherine Pritchard
WW2
The details provided are taken from the book "1000 Men at War" the history of the 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, published 1959, refer to page 202. Prior to the war Reginald was a labourer of Geraldton WA. He served with the 2nd/16th Inf Bn and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Unfortunately, he was wounded and Died of the Wounds 3rd Oct 1942. Rest In Peace. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 25 May 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Michael and Sarah Jane Kelly, of Geraldton, Western Australia.
Geraldton Family's Sacrifice. — Almost three months to the day since they received the sad intimation that their son (Private Gerald James Kelly) had died of illness in a military hospital somewhere in Australia in July last Mr. and Mis. Michael Kelly, of Shenton Street Geraldton, were advised by the Minister of the Army on Wednesday that their youngest son (Private Reginald Aloysius Kelly, of the A.I.F.) had died of wounds. The deceased is the third son Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have lost in the service of their country, another (Sapper Bert Kelly) being killed in action in France in 1916. Private Reginald Kelly was born in Geraldton twenty-eight years ago, and was educated at Stella Maris College and later, when his parents moved to the country, at the Isseka School. He was well and favourably known on the Geraldton waterfront and was engaged with Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited before his enlistment in June, 1940. Leaving Australia after a short perior of training he fought throughout the Syrian campaign. After returning to Australia he went to New Guinea where he took part in the critical battles last year, and after ten months of service in this zone he came to Geraldton on home leave in February last. In pre-war days he was a prominent member cf the Railway Football Club. The sincerest sympathy of a wide circle of friends of the deceased soldier will be extended to his relatives in their sad bereavement .
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