259513 L/Cpl. John Kellett MM.British Army 14th (Pioneers) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers from:Red Row, Northumberland John Kellett was a coal miner aged 38 when war broke out. He was not required to enlist but signed up after being given a white feather.
He trained in Aylesbury and sailed to France on 9th of September 1915 with the 14th Battalion (Pioneers), Northumberland Fusiliers.
Only a few days later, after a long march, he and his battalion were fully engaged in the first major battle of WW1, the Battle of Loos, where they took 3800 casualties. He was awarded the Military Medal (for bravery in the field). Served most of the war on the Somme. Promoted to Lance Corporal.
In late May 1918, during fighting near Trigny (about 5 miles NW of Reims). He was wounded in the leg by a ricochet rifle bullet and captured by the Germans from between a Canadian and a French regiment, when the French withdrew from the flank of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Spent rest of WW1 in Gothenburg POW camp where his wound was operated on by a dentist from Leeds without anaesthetic or antibiotic. It never really healed properly (part of the shin bone was permanently exposed) and he had dressings on his leg for the rest of his life.
Repatriated via London to Coxlodge Asylum, Gosforth, (used as Hospital). He was in and out of hospital for three years to recover and especially to save his leg. He died at home in Chester-le-Street on 20 July 1958 aged 83.
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