KELLY, Clive
| Service Number: | 572 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 May 1915, Maribynong, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Veterinary Section: AIF |
| Born: | Melbourne, Vic., 1891 |
| Home Town: | Bolinda, Macedon Ranges, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Bolinda State School |
| Occupation: | Stud Groom |
| Died: | 14 May 1972, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Altona Memorial Park, Victoria |
| Memorials: | Bolinda State School Honour Roll, Riddell District Honor Roll Board, Riddells Creek Riddell District Honour Roll Plaque, Romsey Soldiers Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 19 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 572, Australian Veterinary Corps, Maribynong, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 572, 2nd Veterinary Section: AIF, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '24' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Botanist embarkation_ship_number: A59 public_note: '' | |
| 24 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 572, 2nd Veterinary Section: AIF, HMAT Botanist, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Peter Sneddon
Meritorious Service Medal
'This N.C.O. has been unremitting in his attention and constant devotion to duty under all circumstances. His work with the sick and wounded animals has always been worthy of the greatest praise being an excellent example to other members of the Section and contributing to the low sick wastage of animals of the Division.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 25 July 1918
Clive Kelly was a local Bolinda boy and attended Bolinda School sometime between 1895 and 1913, along with his siblings Hector, Neta Mary and Olive Agnes. His parents, William Kelly and Mary Baker married in 1886 and had five children, a small family compared to many of the other families featured: Walter (b. 1888), Clive (b. 1891), Hector (b. 1892), Neta Mary (b. 1895), and Olive Agnes (b. 1902).
Clive was working as a stud groom at Mr E. E. Clarke’s (brother of Sir Rupert Clarke) stud farm in Melton at the time of his enlistment in late 1915. He embarked in November 1915 aboard the “Botanist” bound for Turkey. The night before his departure, the residents of Melton held a send-off for him and presented him with a veterinary outfit as a token of admiration from those present.
Clive served in Turkey until being transferred to France. He served at various times with the 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section and the Army Veterinary Corps. In June 1918, Clive was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. The 3rd Supplement, No. 30750, to the London Gazette dated 7 June 1918 included the following statement:
“HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to the undermentioned, in recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in France during the present war:-
No. 572 Corporal C. Kelly”
He also received mentions in dispatches – in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 April 1918 and the London Gazette on 28 December 1917. He returned to Australian aboard the “Beltana” on July 1919 and was discharged from the armed services in the following October.
Clive died in 1972 and is buried in Altona Memorial Park