Joseph Kellaway
Boatswain, 3rd-class .Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 669 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Boatswain (register: Boatswain Third Class) all Boatswain Third Classs →
- Unit
- 3rd-class .Royal Navy (register: HMS Wrangler) all HMS Wrangler VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 August 1855 on this day → all of 1855 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- 24th February, 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- 1st September 1824 at Kingston, Dorset
- Died
- 2nd October 1880 at Chatham in Kent
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 31st August, 1855 in the Sea of Azov, Crimea, Boatswain Kellaway of HMS Wrangler, along with the Mate and three Seamen, were put ashore to burn enemy boats, fishing stations and haystacks on the opposite side of a small lake. They had almost reached the spot when they were ambushed by 50 Russians. One seaman fell into their hands, but Mr Kellaway and the other two Seamen had escaped when the Mate accidentally fell. Mr Kellaway immediately went back to his aid, but they were soon surrounded by the enemy. In spite of the gallant resistance by Mr Kellaway they were tak.en prisoner
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KELLAWAY, Joseph. (reg No. 669).
Boatswain 3rd-class .Royal Navy.
London Gazetted on 24th February, 1857.
Born on 1st September 1824 at Kingston, Dorset.
Died on 2nd October 1880 at Chatham in Kent.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 31st August, 1855 in the Sea of Azov, Crimea, Boatswain Kellaway of HMS Wrangler, along with the Mate and three Seamen, were put ashore to burn enemy boats, fishing stations and haystacks on the opposite side of a small lake. They had almost reached the spot when they were ambushed by 50 Russians. One seaman fell into their hands, but Mr Kellaway and the other two Seamen had escaped when the Mate accidentally fell. Mr Kellaway immediately went back to his aid, but they were soon surrounded by the enemy. In spite of the gallant resistance by Mr Kellaway they were tak.en prisoner.
Additional information:. Chief Boatswain Kellaway also held the Legion d'Honneur of France.
Additional information
Chief Boatswain Kellaway also held the Legion d'Honneur of France.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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