KELLY, JOSEPH LAWRENCE ANDREW (1907-1970), army officer, was born on 10 March 1907 at Cowra, New South Wales, third child of native-born parents Joseph Patrick Kelly, general labourer, and his wife Sarah Mary, née Hennessy. Young Joe's early years were difficult: his father died some three months after his birth and his school-days ended when he was about 12. He moved to Sydney where he became a builder's labourer. During the Depression he knew the misery of unemployment, often walking from Bondi to the city when he could not afford the tram fare. An active member of North Bondi Surf Life-Saving Club, he also played Rugby League for Eastern Suburbs.

In 1926-29 Kelly served in the 1st Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, under the compulsory training scheme. His service, and the worsening Depression, led him to enlist in the Permanent Military Forces on 29 October 1931. He was ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography