Henry Mitchell Kelly was the youngest son of John and Rebecca (Hadden) Kelly of Mochan, Castlecaulfield, Co. Tyrone. He was born in Castlecaulfield on 19th May 1892. The 1901 census record Mitchell as 10 years old, living with the family at Moghan, Clonavaddy, Tyrone. His family was farmers. The 1911 census shows that Mitchell was no longer living with the family. It’s possible he was 19 and living in Scotch Street in Dungannon, working as a draper.Henry Mitchell Kelly was living in Coleraine when he enlisted. Private Henry Mitchell Kelly was serving with the 1st/6th Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) when he died on 3rd April 1916, age 24.
Further Information
Henry Mitchell Kelly was the youngest son of John and Rebecca Kelly. John Kelly and Rebecca Hadden were married on 21st April 1874 in the district of Dungannon.
Henry Kelly was born on 19th May 1892 in Castlecaulfield. He was the youngest of at least seven children, all born in the Dungannon area.
Known family: John Kelly, Rebecca Kelly, Martha Kelly (born 17th March 1875, twin), Elizabeth Kelly (born 17th March 1875, twin), William John Kelly (born 30th December 1877), Joseph Kelly (born 24th February 1883), Stewart Kelly (born 25th October 1884), Emma Emily Kelly (born 27th July 1888 or 24th February 1889), Henry Mitchell Kelly (born 19th May 1892).
The 1901 census record Mitchell as 10 years old, living with the family at Moghan, Clonavaddy, Tyrone. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census shows that Henry Mitchell no longer lived with the family. He was 19 and living in Scotch Street in Dungannon, working as a draper. He served his apprenticeship to the drapery business with Mr W S Johnston of Dungannon.
He then worked for Austin & Co, in Derry, then for Anderson & Co in Omagh, and finally for J S Anderson & Son, Coleraine.
Henry Mitchell Kelly was living in Coleraine when he enlisted in April 1915.
On 3rd April 1916, Corporal Henry Mitchell Kelly was serving with the 1st/6th Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) when the enemy sprang a mine and the vibration brought down part of our trench. Private Kelly was standing nearby and was killed in action. He was 23 years old.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13 April 1916:
Intimation has been received in Coleraine of the death in action of Corporal Henry M Kelly, Black Watch, son of Mrs J Kelly, Riverdale, Castlecaulfield.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd April 1916:
KELLY – Killed in action on 3 April 1916, Sergeant Henry Mitchell Kelly, black Watch, son of John Kelly, Mohan, Castlecaulfield
'His warfare is o'er, his battles fought,
His victory won, though dearly bought;
His fresh young life could not be saved;
He now sleeps in France in a soldier's grave.'
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd April 1916:
As already briefly mentioned, Sergeant Henry Mitchell Kelly, Black Watch, has been killed in action. His mother, Mrs John Kelly, Mohan, Castlecaulfield, has received the following letter from his company commander:-
'Dear Mrs Kelly, last Monday evening, 3rd April, the enemy sprang a mine and the vibration brought down part of our trench, killing and hurting some of my men. Your son was at his post waiting and watching, and I am very sorry to inform you that he was in the place most affected. His comrades went to his assistance at once, but I deeply regret to inform you we found he had laid down his life for his country. He had only recently joined us, and in addition to favourable reports from the Home Battalion, we were impressed by his fine physique and ability. As his company commander, I feel his loss greatly, and as a fellow countryman I offer you my deepest sympathy, in which my brother officers join me. He was buried last evening, and the service was conducted by one of our chaplains in a small village well back, where there is a graveyard for our troops. I shall take steps to have you informed of the name of the village later. Believe me, yours truly, W P Campbell, Captain'
The late Sergeant Kelly, who was only 22 years of age, volunteered in April 1915, from Coleraine. He has served his apprenticeship to the drapery business with the late Mr W S Johnston, Dungannon, and had held good positions in the firms of Austin & Co, Derry, Anderson & Co, Omagh, and J S Anderson & Son, Coleraine.
Corporal H M Kelly is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery, France. His inscription reads: HIS WARFARE IS O'ER HIS BATTLE'S FOUGHT HIS VICTORY WON
Corporal H M Kelly is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in Lower Clonaneese Presbyterian Church outside Castlecaulfield.
Corporal H M Kelly is also commemorated on Coleraine War Memorial.
The CWGC record Corporal Henry M Kelly as the son of John and Rebecca Kelly of Moghan, Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone.
