The story that has come down to me from my distant American cousins is that 1847 was a significant year for the Kelly family. John, Catherine, Susan and Mary arrived in America in that year following the death of their parents in the Great Famine. Census and marriage records provide some information on the ages…
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Jessie – early days
On the 1880 census for Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan, Jessie Kelly appears as a ten year old child. She is living with her Aunt Susan (born around 1840, in Ireland), Uncle Jeremiah Cronin (born around 1831 in New York) and their six children. Also in the household is Anna McHugh, the eldest daughter of John…
Jessie and Jesse
According to a correspondent in America, John McHugh and his wife Catherine (nee Kelly) moved from Michigan to Missouri in March 1873. Initially, they stayed with Catherine’s brother John on his farm. In the 1960s this farm was owned by John’s grandson Jesse East. I found an obituary for Jesse Clarence East who died in…
Just out of the picture
In ‘Lessons in Geography’, I compared the entries in the Regimental War Diary in 1918 with the content of Lyn Macdonald’s book ‘To the Last Man’. Whilst the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment was present during the actions described, they are not explicitly mentioned. This is quite understandable. If an author attempts to namecheck…
Medical treatment
Patrick’s time in hospital in Brighton (1914) and Kent (1918) has already been covered. I have very little detail on the nature of his treatment. The experience of being transported from the battlefield to the hospital can only be covered by referring to more general texts. Patrick would have been carried from the battlefield on…
Back to backs
It can be difficult to comprehend the level of overcrowding in Daw Green, Dewsbury at the end of the 19th century. The distance between the two circles on Princess Street is about 120 yards (110m). This was an area of very high density housing. The National Library of Scotland website offers a useful facility to…
War or Peace
In July 1914, the national newspapers in England were worried about the prospect of a looming conflict. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (pictured) had taken place in Sarajevo on 28th June. Whether through deliberation on the part of some, or neglect on the part of others, this event led to the Great War. But the…
At full stretch
In ‘Lessons in geography’, I questioned the extent to which the rank and file troops had much understanding of the geography of the land. I also wonder about their perception of the overall state of the war. Rumours circulate in most organisations. There were many mechanisms for information, and misinformation, to flow in the Army.…
Lessons in Geography
In ‘Bogs in Belgium’, I recommended a book by Lyn Macdonald. I am currently reading another one of her books. This one is called ‘To the last man’. It deals with the German Spring Offensive of 1918. In one of the maps, I noticed a place (Ayette) that is mentioned in the War Diary of…
Simple twist of fate
In the blog ‘Medal Ribbons’ I briefly examined the question of how many soldiers survived the entire war in their original unit. Fate played a part. Being in the right, or wrong, place could make a massive difference to the chances of survival. Examination of three seminal battles helps to prove the point. 1914: In…