Richard Kelliher
Private, 2nd/ 5th Battalion. (Queensland). Australian Military Forces
- Register No.
- 670 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd/ 5th Battalion. (Queensland). Australian Military Forces (register: 2/25th Battalion, AIF) all 2/25th Battalion, AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 13 September 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 30th December 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Born
- 1st September 1910 at Ballybeggan, Tralee, County Kerry,
- Died
- 28th January 1963 at Melbourne, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- at Springvale Lawn Cemetery, Melbourne and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
- Medal held by
- the Australian War Memorial, Canberra,
Digest of citation
On 13th September, 1943 in New Guinea, the platoon to which Private Kelliher was attached came under very heavy fire from a concealed machine gun. It prevented the platoon's advance and caused many severe casualties. On his own initiative, Private Kelliher, suddenly dashed towards the post and hurled two grenades at it, killing some, but not all, of the enemy. He returned to his section, seized a Bren gun then dashed back to the enemy post and silenced it. Asking and recieving permission, he then went out again to rescue his wounded section leader, which he accomplished successfully under heavy fire from another enemy position
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KELLIHER, Richard. (reg No. 670).
Private. 2nd/ 5th Battalion. (Queensland). Australian Military Forces.
London Gazetted on 30th December 1943.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Born 1st September 1910 at Ballybeggan, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.
Died on 28th January 1963 at Melbourne, Australia.
Memorial on grave at Springvale Lawn Cemetery, Melbourne and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: On 13th September, 1943 in New Guinea, the platoon to which Private Kelliher was attached came under very heavy fire from a concealed machine gun. It prevented the platoon's advance and caused many severe casualties. On his own initiative, Private Kelliher, suddenly dashed towards the post and hurled two grenades at it, killing some, but not all, of the enemy. He returned to his section, seized a Bren gun then dashed back to the enemy post and silenced it. Asking and recieving permission, he then went out again to rescue his wounded section leader, which he accomplished successfully under heavy fire from another enemy position.
Australia.
Ireland.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Springvale Lawn Cemetery, Melbourne and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
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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