Australian Singles

Lot 2450    SESSION 16 (9.30AM FRIDAY 25TH NOV)    Australian Singles

Estimate $150
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $140

BRITISH WAR MEDAL 1914-18 TO DOW. 219 Pte. E.Kelly. 26-Bn. A.I.F. Impressed. Ribbon damaged, medal dark toned very fine.

Edward Kelly, labourer, age 23, born at Galway, Ireland; Enl.20Apr1915 at Brisbane, Qld; Emb.24May1915; to join MEF at Gallipoli 04Sep1915; to join BEF in France 15Mar1916; WIA 05Aug1916, GSW face and hand, France; rejoined 26Bn 05Feb1917; WIA 02Mar1917, GSW elbow and back, France; DOW 10Mar1917 at St John Amb Bde Hosp, Etaples; Buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

Following his death, the Australian Red Cross Society, Queensland Division advised Base Records, Melbourne that the soldier's mother, Mrs H.E.Foley, had contacted them and advised that the name Edward Kelly was an alias and that the soldier's real name was Lisle Foley. Apparently he started using the assumed name when he ran away from home at the age of 11. The rules relating to the issue of medals state that unless the name of the soldier is changed prior to their becoming deceased then no alteration will be made in the inscription put on the war medals and the mother was informed of this fact.