Re: 2719481 Joe Kelly

Sad to report the death of Joe Kelly 2719481. Joe served with the 2nd Bn and was one of those Micks captured at Boulogne in May 1940.  He spent the rest of the war in a POW Camp in Poland. He was put to work for a short spell on bomb damage but was then sent to work in the coalmines where he spent the rest of his internment. Such were the conditions he and others had to endure that on repatriation after the war he needed surgery which left him with only half a lung. It was only through sheer Mick determination that he survived as long as he did.  During Chris Corrigan's and my time as secretaries Joe was an active member of the NoE Branch.  We send our love and condolences to Joe's wife Vera, his children and grandchildren.

Rest in peace old friend. Quis Separabit
We will be singing at the funeral.
Reported by John Hyland 28thJanuary 2005

John continues
I have just been to see Joe's family,  I told them about your site and they have e-mailed you a photo of Joe and another ex-Mick named Fred Galway who was also captured at Boulogne at the same time.


Joe Kelly and Fred Galway

Unfortunately Fred was also blinded by a mortar bomb during the battle, but again Mick determination saw him through and although totally blind he made some beautiful things out of wood.  He was another of that great generation of Micks who did us all proud.  Fred died on the 5th March 1998.
God rest their souls. 
Quis separabit