User:Philip Bujak

Jack Sherwood Kelly

Lt. Col Jack Sherwood Kelly VC, CMG, DSO (born Queenstown, Cape Colony, South Africa, 13th January 1880, died Kensington, London, England, 18th August 1931) was an adventurer and soldier who served with distinction in Somaliland, Matabeleland, The Second Boer War, The Great War (1914-1918) and the North Russian Expedition 1919. He is chiefly remember for his very public attack on Winston Churchill in September 1919 which ultimately led to his court martial at Middlesex Guild Hall, England, on October 28th 1919. His letter to the Daily Express published on Saturday 6th September 1919 sparked a national outcry against the governement in general and Churchill in particular.

During his military career he achieved fame and notoriety for his mixture of heroic exploits and explosive temperament. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his exploits in Gallipoli in February 1916 and on 1st January 1917 was awarded the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG). During the summer and autumn of 1917 he commanded 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was instrumental in the early success achieved during the Battle of Cambrai on 20th November for which he recieved the Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 23rd January 1918. Kelly was gassed and wounded at various times.

During the political instability of 1923-24, Jack Kelly stood for the Conservative Party at two general elections for the constituency of Clay Cross in Derby. His controversial and outspoken style struck a cord even amongst the most hardened socialist supporters in this largely mining seat. He was defeated in the December 1923 elections by 6,000 votes but had reduced this by half a year later in the election of October 1924. During the election rallies, Kelly again hit the national headlines having thrashed some hecklers at Langwith, England.

In later years, Kelly worked for Bolivia Consessions Limited building roads and railways across Bolivia and went big game hunting in Africa where he contracted malaria. He is buried in Brookwood Cemetary in Surrey, England. His medal group including the Victoria Cross can be found in the South African Museum of Military History in Johannesburg.

References

Bujak, Philip (2008). Undefeated - The Extraordinary Life and Death of Lt. Col. Jack Sherwood Kelly VC, CMG, DSO. Abbey Printers (Devon) Ltd, Newton Abbot, Devon. ISBN 978-0-9551902-2-3.

Gliddon, Gerald, ed. Norfolk & Suffolk in the Great War. Gliddon Books (1998). ISBN 0-947893-07-5.