| Kelly | Richard Makdougall Brisbane Fr | | Major | KELLY, RICHARD MAKDOUGALL BRISBANE FRANCIS, Major, was born 24 September 1857, youngest son of General Sir R D Kelly, KCB, Colonel, 34th Regiment, and Ellen, daughter of Sir William Dillon 4th Bart, of Lismullen, County Meath. He was educated at Marlborough, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and entered the Royal Artillery, as Lieutenant, 14 August 1876, becoming Captain 13 March, 1885. He served in the second Miranzai Expedition, 1891, in No 3 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery (Medal with clasp); was promoted to Major 31 January 1894; was Instructor, School of Gunnery, 10 April, 1895 to 12 November 1899. He served in the South African War, as ADC to Lieutenant-General, 5th Infantry Division, South Africa, 13 November 1899 to 19 April, 1900; was severely wounded. He took part in the Relief of Ladysmith; was present at Spion Kop, Vaal Kranz, Tugela Heights, Pieter's Hill; was twice wounded (once severely), and had his horse shot under him twice. He was District Commandant in South Africa 15 February 1901 to 13 February 1903. He was mentioned in Despatches (Sir R H Buller), 30 March, 1900; also by Sir C Warren 29 June, 1900 [London Gazette, 3 February 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps; and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Richard Makdougall Brisbane Francis Kelly, Major, Royal Artillery, In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". He became Lieutenant Colonel 1 May 1903; Chief Instructor, School of Gunnery, 22 April 1904 to 21 April 1908; was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 May 1906; and promoted Colonel 1 May 1908. He was Commandant, Royal Artillery, East Lancashire Division (TF), 1909 to 1910; commanded Royal Artillery, Southern Coast Defences, Portsmouth, from 1910, with the temporary rank of Brigadier General. He was created a CB in 1911. He died, 20 February 1915, and an obituary notice of him appeared in 'The Times' of 22 February 1915. He married, in 1887, Mary Piercy, daughter of Major General P Bedingfield, and they had two daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Artillery |
