Great War Dundee
This is Dundee's story of those that served in the First World War, and of the people left at home
We need you to tell us more about the life and times of James Henry Kelly
James Henry Kelly
Military Information
- Date of enlistment:
- Place of enlistment:
- Service no: 221292
- Rank: Leading Seaman
- Service Occupation:
- Awards:
- Regiment/Service: H.M.S. Vanguard
- Unit/Ship:
- Place of Death: Lost at Sea
- Age at Death: 31
- Date of Death: 09.07.1917
- Burial Country:
- Cemetery: Chatham Naval Memorial
- Grave/Mem Ref no: Panel 21
Personal Information
- Date of Birth:
- Place of Birth:
- Address: 26 Pitfour Street, Dundee
- Occupation:
- Mother:
- Father:
- Siblings:
- Spouse:
Jenny Maclaren Kelly, c/o Magregor, 214 Lippincote St, Toronto, Canada
- Children:
More about James Henry Kelly
James has no known grave but is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was the Son of the late Mr & Mrs Kelly of Oldham, Lancashire.
James was serving aboard H.M.S. Vanguard, a St Vincent Class Battleship. On the night of 9 July, 1917 Vanguard was anchored in Scapa Flow. In a matter of seconds a devastating internal explosion destroyed the ship killing all but 2 of the 845 men on board at the time. The explosion that sank the Vanguard was not the result of an enemy attack, but the result of an internal explosion of faulty Cordite.
The Royal Navy’s Command Clearance Diving Team carried out a detailed investigation in 1975. Their investigation confirmed that this explosion destroyed virtually all explosive ordnance on board and blew the ship apart.
James H. Kelly 221292 Royal Navy
KELLY___Killed on 9th July, in the explosion on board H.M.S. Vanguard, James H. Kelly, leading seaman, beloved husband of Jenny Maclaren, 26 Pitfour Street, Dundee, and only son of the late Mr and Mrs Kelly, Oldham, Lancashire, England.
Dundee People’s Journal 21st July 1917
Information supplied by Gary Thomson, additional information kindly supplied by Michael Caldwell
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