An Immediate Award Of The MM.

GV Military Medal.
530274 Cpl. - L.Sjt. P. J. Kelly, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

Patrick Joseph Kelly was born in Belfast, the son of Sarah Kelly of 67 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast. By 1914, Patrick was living in London at 28 Elgin Avenue, Maida Hill, and was employed by the Civil Service Commissioners. He joined the 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) at Somerset House on 8th April 1914. He was 18 years and 2 months old and his Attestation Papers describe him as being 5' 11" tall and of good physical development.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, the 15th Londons prepared for active service. The 1/15th Battalion crossed over to France on 17th March 1915. Patrick Kelly, however, found himself transferred to "C" Company of the 2/15th Battalion, where he served in No: 10 Platoon. On 24th March, he signed Army Form E.624, stating his willingness "to serve in any place outside the United Kingdom in the event of National emergency." Obviously a capable man, he was appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid), then promoted Corporal (paid) by the time the 2/15th arrived in France on 23rd June 1916. He would stay with the Battalion for the next two years, serving on the Western Front (23/06/16 - 21/11/16), Salonica (22/11/16 - 19/06/17), Egypt and Palestine (20/06/17 - 17/06/18) and back to France on 28th June 1918.
In August 1918, the 2/15th Londons were in positions opposite the Dranoutre Ridge. On the night of 21st/22nd August, the 2/14th Londons attacked the ridge and the following night the 2/15th Londons took over the newly-captured line, which was no more than a series of shell holes, and withstood a determined counter-attack. In the words of the Regimental History: "Under continual heavy artillery, trench mortar, and machine-gun fire, we helped to consolidate the new front line. Fighting patrols were pushed forward and great courage was displayed by members of the 2/15th, particularly Sergeant P. J. Kelly's patrol, "C" Company, at Locrehof Farm."
More details of the events are to be found in the account given by Captain Wills, quoted in "The Civil Service Rifles in the Great War" by Jill Knight. A second counter-attack was expected at any moment and Wills hastily organized a wiring party to strengthen their precarious position. "The men worked like Trojans and Kelly worked like three men. We all tore our hands on the wire but nobody minded." Patrick Kelly and his officer then prepared to wire in front of a near-by slag heap. Captain Wills' account continues: "Corporal Kelly and I approached the slag heap from the rear carrying a roll of barbed wire on a stake between us. Both of us had on wiring gloves ... As we approached ... a couple of men came round the left-hand side of the heap. I thought they were part of my wiring party and shouted at them asking what the hell they were doing. A second later a German stick bomb burst some few yards away and I realised that they were Boche. I am afraid I lost my head, tried to tear off my wiring gloves and get to my revolver. Not so Kelly, the Ulsterman, who kept his head and did not try to get off his gloves, but took out a Mills bomb, pulled the pin out with his teeth and threw it. The bomb exploded and got them both."

As Wills afterwards discovered, Patrick Kelly's quick thinking and decisive action had put two German machine-gunners, complete with gun, out of action and saved both their lives. For this Corporal Kelly was awarded an immediate MM. The two Germans had been part of the next counter-attack but, once again, the Civil Service Rifles held their position.
In early September, the Battalion was out of the line, enjoying a period of "rest", supplying working parties for road building and other tasks. On the 12th, a parade was held and Patrick Kelly and others who had been decorated for the Dranoutre operations were presented with ribbons by the Corps Commander.

In the last stages of the war, Patrick suffered a gun shot wound to the wrist, resulting in a degree of disablement of 40%. He was discharged from the army on 11th February 1919 and granted a pension of 12 shillings a week for 26 weeks. Apart from his Military Medal, he would also receive the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge and the King's Certificate for his service with the 15th London Regiment.