A postbox has been dedicated to a heroic postal worker who was awarded the military’s highest honour for gallantry during the First World War.
Collyhurst-born Major Henry Kelly worked as a Post Office sorting clerk at the Newton Street sorting office in Manchester when war broke out in 1914.
Collyhurst-born Major Henry Kelly worked as a Post Office sorting clerk Credit: MEN Syndication
He enlisted as a private in the Army and went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying wounded British soldiers 70 yards to safety from a German trench in France.
His citation for his actions on October 4, 1916, at Le Sars, France, reads:
For most conspicuous bravery in an attack. He twice rallied his company under the heaviest fire, and finally led the only three available men into the enemy trench, and there remained bombing until two of them had become casualties and enemy reinforcements had arrived.
He then carried his Company Sergeant Major, who had been wounded, back to our trenches, a distance of 70 yards, and subsequently three other soldiers. He set a fine example of gallantry and endurance.
– MAJOR HENRY KELLY'S CITATION FOR HIS ACTIONS ON OCTOBER 4, 1916
Major Kelly also received the Military Cross for actions on the Asiago Plateau in Italy.
Now - 100 years on from his VC - his memory has been honoured with a plaque on a postbox near Collyhurst war memorial on Rochdale Road. Members of his family attended an unveiling ceremony.
The Royal Mail’s delivery director for Manchester, Ady Fielding, said:
Royal Mail is proud to be dedicating this postbox in honour of Major Henry Kelly. His selfless act of courage saved lives and we hope this is a fitting and lasting tribute to his achievement.
– ADY FIELDING
Born in July 1887, Major Kelly was left the oldest of 10 children after his father died in 1904. He was educated at St Patrick’s School and Xaverian College.
He initially enlisted into the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders as a Private but rose through the ranks with the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment.
Major Kelly left the British Army in 1920 but rejoined aged 52 at the outbreak of the Second World War and became a Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment before promotions.
He later resigned his commission to return to work for the Post Office.
Major Kelly’s great niece Maria Kilcommons, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, said:
I’m proud that the centenary of Uncle Henry’s VC action has been marked in this way.
He was, and remains, a legend in our family.” Major Kelly died aged 72 in Prestwich in 1960 and is buried at Southern Cemetery, Chorlton.
– MARIA KILCOMMONS