Casualty Group L 9831 Gunner Kelly RFA

A comprehensive and poignant casualty group all attributed to L9831 Gunner James Henry Kelly Royal Field Artillery who died of wounds received in action on 4th October 1918. The group consists of his Memorial Plaque in its inner envelope, outer card cover and postal envelope to his family. His British War and Victory medals in their box, the latter flattened. A group photo of him with other chums, his testament, his small book, his single identity disc (the hexagonal green disc would have been buried with his body) and cap badge returned to his family. two newspaper cuttings relating to his death. Multiple photos of his grave and cemetery including the IWGC original grave cross photo. Perhaps most moving are the three letters that accompany the group. The first in pencil written by Henry on the 17th September 1918 telling his family that he was wounded in the thigh but was 'going on well'. The second written by one of the hospital chaplains describing how his condition had deteriorated and he required an operation as it was 'his only chance' the third letter from the same chaplain explaining that Henry had passed away the same evening of his operation.
One of the most moving casualty groups I have had the privilege of handling.