Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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3434   Private Charles McAnaw Kelly
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 09/07/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died: 06/05/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age: 25
Summary      
Charles McAnaw Kelly was the son of Michael McAnaw Kelly and Mary Jane Kelly. Charles was born in Drumkeen, Convoy, County Donegal about 1890. Charles McAnaw Kelly enlisted in Strabane as Charles Kelly. Private Kelly was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on 6th May 1915.
Further Information
Charles McAnaw Kelly was the son of Michael McAnaw Kelly and Mary Jane Kelly.
Charles was born in Drumkeen, Convoy, County. Donegal about 1890.
The CWGC record Charles as the husband of Madge McAnaw Kelly, of Lettermore, Drumkeen, Stranonar, Co. Donegal. It is not known when they were married.
Charles McAnaw Kelly enlisted in Strabane as Charles Kelly.
Medal card
Private Kelly arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 22nd September 1914.
Private Charles Kelly was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on 6th May 1915
Shortly afterwards, Charles’ brother, Edward McAnaw, wrote to his wife in Barrack Street, Dungannon. He stated that his brother Charles McAnaw had been killed and he saw him buried in the same cemetery as Lord Northland.
Barrack Street, Dungannon
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 2nd June 1915:
Corporal Edward McAnaw, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing from Flanders to his wife at in Barrack Street, Dungannon states his brother Charles had been killed in action. He saw him buried in the same graveyard as the late Lord Northland.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 3rd June 1915:
Corporal Edward McAnaw, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing from Flanders to his wife at in Barrack Street, Dungannon states his brother Charles had been killed in action. He saw him properly buried in the same graveyard as the late Lord Northland – indeed, the head of both graves met together.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th June 1915: Dungannon Lad’s Grave
Corporal Eddie McAnaw, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his wife at at Barrack Street, Dungannon, says that his brother Charles was killed on 4th May. He did not know what to do, but saw him properly buried, and placed flowers on the poor boy’s grave. Charles was buried in the same graveyard as Lord Northland, the head of both graves meeting each other. ‘Tell them all at home to bear up as well as they can.’
Lord Northland is buried in Cuinchy Communal Cemetery. There are no McAnaws in that cemetery but there is a C Kelly. Charles’ inscription reads: ON HIS SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY
Private Charles McAnaw Kelly is commemorated on Dungannon War Memorial as 'C. McAnaw'.
The CWGC records Private C Kelly s as the son of Michael McAnaw Kelly and Mary Jane Kelly. He is also recorded as being the husband of Madge McAnaw Kelly of Lettermore, Drumkeen, Stranonar, County Donegal.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Barrack Street Dungannon Central Brother lived at Barrack Street 54.502358 -6.771513
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 BillionGraves.com Photo of Private Charles Kelly's headstone
2 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Charles Kelly's headstone
3 Lord Northland Also buried in Cuinchy Communal Cemetery
4 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
5 Townlands.ie Drumkeen, Convoy, County Donegal
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Charles Kelly's headstone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023