John Francis Kelly

Rank: Private Number 4648 Name of Rgt or Ship: Lancashire Fusiliers

Died: 26/04/1916 Age: 27

Country of burial: U.K.

Cemetery or Memorial: Salford (Weaste) Cem

Extra Information:

The son of Henry & Ellen Kelly.

Murdered by Private Walter Taylor at the Cross Lane Barracks, Salford. The first witness at the inquest into his death was his sister - Margaret Kelly, 38 Armitage Street, Patricroft. She stated that her deceased brother was a 27 year old Iron Worker who enlisted seven years ago in the 7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He had seen actice service at the Dardenelles and had come
home last January as a time-expired man and had then left the Army. He went back to his old
trade, but after only one month, he re-enlisted in the 7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was, she said, in good health when she last saw him when he left her home on the 26th April stating that he would be back for dinner at 12.45. He was going to the Hippodrome Theatre that night and had booked seats. The Judge then asked her if her brother was in possession of any money, to which she replied that he was as she had asked him for some money before he left and she saw them when he opened his purse. She stated that he
owned a knife that was quite new as it was given to him with his uniform on the morning he re-enlisted.

She said that he had mentioned the name, Walter Taylor to her and said that he was a sailor, he was a fine man, but very quiet. She had
identified her brothers body at the Silk Street, Mortuary.

Sergeant Roger Roberts giving evidence stated that the prisoner had been reported as being absent from parade and that Captain Cartwright had ordered that he be put into the guardroom until he had chance to deal with him. The prisoner was
not then under arrest and Private John Kelly had been detailed to see that he did not leave the Barracks. He stated that when he was returning from his own dinner at 14.15 hrs, he had met the prisoner casually walking along Cross Street with his hands behind his back. He asked why he was out of the Barracks and was told the the man guarding him had let him out for some fresh air.
Together with a Corporal Cooper, he then went to the guardroom at 14.45 hrs and found Private Kelly's body - his throat had been cut and he was lying on his back in a pool of blood around his shoulders. He was asked if the prisoner had recently received any pay, to which he replied - yes, 6/- .

The Post Mortem revealed that Private Kelly's throat had been cut from ear to ear, inflicted with six separate strokes of a knife, so deep that it had gone through to his vertebrae and had cut through all his blood vessels.

The Jury's verdict was "Wilfull Murder" and Walter Taylor was committed for trial. However the doctors at Strangeways Prison where he was held decided that he was insane and he was detained at"His Majesty's Pleasure".

A description of his funeral;

The Funeral of the victim of the Barracks Tragedytook place on Monday at Weaste Cemetery, when the proceedings were distinguished by military honours of a very impressive character. Apart from the relatives of the deceased from 150 to 200 uniformed men attended in marching order accompanied by the Royal Engineers East Lancashire Band. As the cortège wended its way to the cemetery huge masses of silent witnesses assembled along the whole of the route. The cemetery, however, was crowded with people. As the last
rights were administered and the coffin was lowered into the grave the Royal Engineers Band played the Dead March in “Saul”. The last
post was afterwards sounded and three volleys were fired from fourteen or fifteen rifles. A magnificent wreath from the Cross Lane Barracks represented the Union Jack and bore the Regimental Colours. The ceremony of most impressive character and hardly a person present succeeded in suppressing vivid signs of emotion.