Joseph Kelly

 Jospeh was born c.1892. 

It is likely that this Joseph Kelly is the same Joseph Kelly interviewed by the Longford Leader for the edition on the 25 August 1915, (Longford Soldier Back From The Dardanelles). Joseph enlisted in the army on the 17 August 1914, along with his friend Paddy Early* . From June 1915, Joseph was serving in the Gallipoli Campaign (Dardanelles), where he was injured at Hill 973 on the 10 Aug 1915, receiving gunshot wounds to the hip, shoulder and chest.

In the interview, he noted the landscape of the region comparing it to the Moat (Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey castle) in Granard stating: "It is covered all over with sandy hills, the smallest of them being several times the size of the Moat", and describes the other troops and the fighting that he participated in. He was especially complimentary about the Irish chaplains. He mentioned that he found the female Turkish snipers to be more effective of the male, and that the Gurkas, who were fearsome warriors, always wanted to fight alongside an Irish regiment there. 

Joseph also mentioned other Longford soldiers at the campaign. These included Larry Farrell, an instructor for the Abbeylara Volunteers; John "Sonny" Carlon of Granard, who was also wounded here; Fagan of Killasonna and Lance Corporal Kiernan.

Joseph was discharged from the army in March 1916 as a result of his injuries. He was married, although we do not currently know his wife's name.

Longford Leader, 25 September 1915;