James KELLY

KELLY, James

Service Number: 21
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry
Born: Not yet discovered
Home Town: Spring Hill, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899: Involvement Private, 21, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry
1 Nov 1899: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 21, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 448 notes 1st QMI embarked 1 Nov 1899 aboard Cornwall arriving Cape Town 13 Dec 1899.
8 Jun 1900: Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 21, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks, Bk 1 p. 56, notes invalided to England, embarked South Africa 8 May 1900 aboard Pavonia and arrived England 8 Jun 1900.
16 Dec 1900: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 21, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks, Bk 1 p. 56, notes returned invalided aboard Harlech Castle arriving Brisbane on 8 Dec 1900, discharged 16 Dec 1900.

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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

When James Kelly enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Private J. Kelly, single, c/- Mrs. P. Kelly, Hartley St., Spring Hill, Brisbane. He was invalided from service to England arriving 8 Jun 1900 and then returned later to Brisbane where he was discharged on 16 Dec 1900. 

He was called to give evidence in 1901 where Colonel Ricardo took a libel suit to court against Brisbane Newspaper Company Limited for defamation through articles they published infering he displayed cowardice while leading during battle. James gave evidence in support of Colonel Ricardo.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 452; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, bk 1 p. 56).

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