Howard Kelly (Royal Navy officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Howard Kelly
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|
|---|---|
| Born | 6 September 1873 |
| Died | 14 September 1952 (aged 79) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1886 – 1944 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Gloucester 8th Light Cruiser Squadron British Adriatic Force 1st Battle Squadron 2nd Cruiser Squadron 1st Battle Squadron China Station |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Member of the Royal Victorian Order |
Sir William Archibald Howard Kelly (born September 6, 1873 – died September 14, 1952) was a brave officer in the Royal Navy, which is the United Kingdom's navy. He rose through the ranks to become a top leader, even commanding the British naval forces in China.
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Howard Kelly started his career in the Royal Navy in 1886 when he was just 13 years old. He worked hard and became a lieutenant in 1902. A lieutenant is an officer rank in the navy.
He was assigned to a ship called HMS Spartiate, which was a type of warship called a protected cruiser. Later that year, he traveled to British Somaliland, a country in Africa. In 1911, he became a naval attaché in Paris, France. This meant he was a naval expert working at the British embassy there.
World War I Heroics
When World War I began, Kelly was the commanding officer of HMS Gloucester. His ship played an important part in chasing two German ships, the Goeben and Breslau. This event was known as the pursuit of Goeben and Breslau.
Interestingly, his brother, John Kelly, was also a commanding officer of a similar ship, Dublin, during the same chase. From 1917, Howard Kelly led the 8th Light Cruiser Squadron. In 1918, he took charge of the British naval forces in the Adriatic Sea.
In May 1919, a top naval leader named Rosslyn Wemyss chose Kelly for a special job. Kelly was sent to Greece to lead the British Naval Mission. His task was to help the Hellenic Navy (the Greek navy).
Kelly found that the Greek navy was in poor shape. Its supplies had been taken by the Allies during World War I without any payment. Kelly worked hard to fix things. He helped reorganize their radio communication system and set up new departments for mapping the seas and building naval structures.
He also introduced new training for sailors, like gunners and range-finders. The number of new recruits joining the navy each year was increased. Kelly also made sure that naval rules were updated. He arranged for Greek officers to train in British naval schools. His important mission in Greece ended in October 1921.
Later Commands and Retirement
After his time in Greece, Kelly continued to rise in the navy. In 1923, he became the Commander of the 1st Battle Squadron in the Atlantic Fleet. Later, in 1925, he commanded the 2nd Cruiser Squadron.
He also represented the British Admiralty (the navy's headquarters) at the League of Nations in 1927. The League of Nations was an organization that aimed to promote peace between countries. In 1929, he commanded the 1st Battle Squadron again and was second-in-command of the Mediterranean Fleet.
His final big role was to be the Commander-in-Chief, China Station in 1931. This meant he was in charge of all British naval forces in China. During this time, his ship, a minesweeper called HMS Petersfield, ran aground near Tungyung Island in November 1931. Luckily, everyone on board was rescued.
Following an event called the 28 January Incident, Kelly used his influence to help bring about a ceasefire between Chinese and Japanese forces. He officially retired from the navy in 1936.
World War II Service
Even after retiring, Kelly was called back to duty in 1940 during the Second World War. He served as the British Naval Representative in Turkey. He finally retired for good in 1944, after a long and distinguished career.
