2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Manchester Regiment – WWI
Joseph was the son of Irish born John Kielty and Winifred Nangle. He enlisted aged thirty-four on the 4th of January 1915. Before the war he worked as a tram driver for the Manchester Corporation Tramways.
Joseph served with the colours at home for 1 year and 233 days before being discharged prematurely on the 23rd August 1916 due to sickness. Details within Josephs WWI pension record describe this sickness to be Rheumatism, which was aggravated by his war service.
Joseph’s medal card was a type given for those entitled to the Silver War Badge only.
Joseph wrote to the Infantry Records Department requesting some assistance in establishing whether he was eligible for any medals/ribbons for his part in the war effort. The reply explained that, as he did not proceed overseas due to his discharge, he was not entitled to any medals. However, his medal card suggests that he did receive the Silver War Badge, also known as the Discharge Badge or Wound Badge. The sterling silver badge was to be worn on civilian clothing only. It was forbidden to wear it on a military uniform.
A group photograph of the 23rd (Service) Battalion Regiment “E company” of which Joseph is present in, is held by the Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society and can be viewed on Find My Past.
WWII
Joseph Kelty contributed to the war effort during the second world war, as an Air Raid reserve for the Holt Town area of Manchester.