Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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Edward Gerard Kelly
British Army Royal Tank Corps
from:Liverpool, Lancashire
Ted Kelly was working for his grandfather on the Liverpool docks. He hated that at age of only 16 he was assisting his uncle 'The Major' in choosing men from the pen to work for the day turning many away. One day in a huge argument with his uncle he said he was quitting the job and joining the Army, his uncle laughed at him.
Ted joined the Royal Tank Corps. He later recalled being shot by a bullet which ricocheted around the inside of the tank finally hitting him in his leg above his ankle. He bore a huge purple scar for the rest of his life but no ill effects luckily! He recalled stepping from an aeroplane in Calcutta in India and the heat and smell that hit him he never forgot. He would never eat curry.
Years after the war, whilst visiting the Vatican with his wife, upon seeing a sign saying 'No Cameras Allowed' he recalled the first time he visited as a soldier and being told to leave their guns outside. He found it quite humorous.
He enjoyed showing his wife the site of a battle at a monastery in Anzio. He spoke of Monte Casino, but I do not know if he actually served there or was just telling her about it.
He returned to the Liverpool Docks to work but this time as a crane driver, which he did very well.