Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Major (QM)

Army Number : 5884593 and 474444

Unit : Royal 1st Bn, 4th R Anglian

Biography :

Ted, sometimes known as Pat, Kelly enlisted as a Territorial Army soldier in 5th Bn The Northamptonshire Regiment in Peterborough in 1937. In 1938, in Northampton, he joined the Regular Army, enlisting in The Coldstream Guards. Within ten days he was returned to Northampton as “not being amenable to discipline” and transferred to The Northamptonshire Regiment, joining 1st Bn in Ballykinler. On the outbreak of war in 1939 he was posted to the Depot in Northampton as a carrier instructor. From there he was drafted to 1st Northamptons in India, serving there and in Burma, where he was the Battalion Sniper Sergeant. His exploits became legendary. In the book on Imphal he was described as one of the notable personalities of the prolonged contest. He was a truly natural shot and on one occasion killed a Jap at 1,200 yards. He was respected throughout the 14th Army and by the Japanese who nicknamed him 'Koroshiya Kerii' – 'Killer Kelly'. He was also responsible for saving the life of Major Peter Keily whilst under fire, not only giving him first aid, but also carrying him until they met up with some stretcher bearers. Another quote was: “That he seldom missed is testified by the twenty-three notches on his rifle butt. The DCM was a fitting reward for this fearless man.” He was awarded the D.C.M. for his actions as Sniper Sergeant, 1st Northamptons, Kohima, Burma, 15 May-24 Jun 1944 (L.G. 28.6.1945).
On his return to the UK, he served in an Officer Cadet Training Unit, and then in a German POW Camp at Orton Hall in Northampton. In 1948 he rejoined 5th Northamptons as an instructor. He was Champion Skill-at-Arms in 162nd Infantry Brigade.
In 1951 he was posted to the 1st Northamptons in Trieste, remaining with them for nine years. He was an outstanding Drum Major, Platoon Commander, CQMS and later CSM in Korea and Hong Kong. On return to the UK he was appointed RSM and proved to be the last RSM of 1st Northamptons. During the ceremony when in 1960 the Battalion rebadged to 1st Bn The 2nd (Royal Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire) East Anglian Regiment in Doniford Camp, Watchet, he took down the Battalion flag and kept it personally for many years – it is now in the Northamptonshire Regiment Museum. He was awarded the LS&GC medal.
After service as RSM of The Federal Regular Army in Aden, he was commissioned into 2nd East Anglian Regiment on 15.7.1963 and later posted to the 1st Battalion The Royal Leicestershire Regiment as QM (Tech) and later Quartermaster, serving with them in Watchet, Hong Kong and Borneo. He remained with them on the formation of the 4th Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment on 1 September 1964, serving in Aden, Malta and Gillingham. In 1969 (promoted Major (QM) on 24.2.1971, he joined 5th (V) R Anglian as Quartermaster at Peterborough, remaining there until he retired 24.3.1972 after 35 years.
In civilian life he was a manager in Northamptonshire before becoming Northamptonshire Regimental Secretary. He died in 2008, aged 88 years.

Date of Birth : 1920

Date of Death : 2008

Period of Service : 1937-72

Conflicts : WW2, Korean War, Borneo Confrontation, Aden

Places Served : England, Northern Ireland, India, Ceylon, Burma, Austria, Korea, Hong Kong, Borneo, Aden, Malta