|
They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
KELLY, James Aubrey, LS, 3670, RCN, MPK - 04 Nov 1946, HMCS CRESCENT - Son of William James Kelly and Lillian O. Kelly, of Calgary, AB.
Leading Seaman J. A. Kelly died when he fell overboard while entering the harbour. A life buoy was immediately thrown over which landed 25 to 50 yards from Kelly. The engines were stopped until the body was clear and the ship was maneuvered to the position of the accident. This took approximately four minutes. Witnesses confirm that Kelly was carried clear of the hull and screws. He remained in sight for an approximately two minutes and then disappeared. The sea was flat calm and the visibility good. But despite a careful search of the immediate vicinity for over half an hour nothing could be found. It was known Leading Seaman J. A. Kelly was a poor swimmer, he is presumed to have drowned.
Ships served in: RCNVR DIVISION CALGARY - Enlisted 28 Nov 1938 as an OS, RCNVR * Transferred to the RCN 05 May 1940 HMCS ST FRANCIS - Served in ST FRANCIS 06 May 1941 - 27 Aug 1941 as an A/AB and AB, RCN. Rated AB 29 Jul 1941 HMCS MINAS - Served in MINAS 09 Dec 1941 - 27 Jul 1942 as an AB and A/LS, RCN. Rated A/LS 01 Apr 1942 HMCS ATHABASKAN - Served in ATHABASKAN 04 Feb 1942 - 19 Aug 1943 as an A/LS and LS, RCN. Rated LS 01 Apr 1943 HMCS ATHABASKAN - Drafted to ATHABASKAN 09 Mar 1944 as an A/PO, RCN. Survived the sinking of ATHABASKAN. Rescued / captured by German Naval Forces and became a POW for the remainder of the war HMCS UGANDA - Served in UGANDA 02 Jan 1946 - 27 Jun 1946 as a PO and LS, RCN. HMCS CRESCENT - Drafted to CRESCENT 01 Aug 1946 as a LS, RCN.
(JK01-JK02) Records of Service - RCNVR (JK03-JK04) Record of Service - RCN
(JK05-JK07) Letters to PO James Kelly's mother informing her that her son is missing after the sinking of HMCS ATHABASKAN; then that he had be captured by German Forces and is a POW; and finally, that he has been freed and is now in the UK
(JK08) Letter of Condolence to LS James Kelly's mother from the CO of HMCS CRESCENT (JK09) Naval Message to HMCS DISCOVERY and C.O.P.C. on the death of LS Kelly
Second World War Casualty Index
|
