John Joseph Kiely

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Full Name:

John

Joseph

Kiely

Date of Birth:

March,

3,

1896

Place of Birth:

Lower South River, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia

Antigonish District:

Lower South River

Service Rank or Number:

902249

Date of Enlistment:

April,

5,

1916

Location of Enlistment:

Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Theatres of Service:

Europe

Conflicts:

First World War, Second World War

Date of Retirement of Discharge:

March,

15,

1919

Location of Retirement of Discharge:

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Rank on Retirement or Discharge:

Corporal

Medals & Decorations:

British War Medal
Victory Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Military Medal

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Biography

Corporal John Joseph Kiely was born March 3, 1896 in Lower South River, Antigonish County. He was the son of John J. Kiely and Isabel Keogh. Prior to enlistment he worked as a trackman for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and as a part time watchman in South River.

On April 5, 1916, Kiely enlisted in the 193rd Battalion in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Kiely had prior military experience as he had joined the 42nd Montreal Cameron Highlanders in 1914. Over the course of his service he served in Britain and France. While serving overseas in Europe, Kiely was transferred to the 42nd Cameron Highlanders Battalion on December 5, 1916. He was then sent to France with this unit. While in France, Kiely served as a stretcher bearer dressing wounds and transporting injured soldiers off the battlefield.

During the 42nd operations at Monty Le Prix on August 26, 1918 Kiely continued to leave the trenches and cross the field to dress wounded soldiers during open fire from the enemy. His work saved two men from who were suffering from blood loss. Kiely was awarded a Military Medal for acts of bravery on February 11, 1919 for his actions on this day.

During the 42nd Battalion’s operations North of Cambrai on September 29 and 30, 1918, Kiely went out to the field under heavy artillery fire despite protests and faced almost certain death. In another instance on the 29th and 30th, Kiely dressed a man who was shot by a machine gun, while he was dressing him the soldier was shot three more times. A Corporal came out to help but was shot and killed. Kiely stayed with the wounded soldier only to return to the trenches to announce when the soldier was dead. Kiely was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; the second highest award for gallantry in action for all ranks below officers on March 12, 1919 for these actions.

Kiely was appointed to Lieutenant Corporal September 30, 1918, and was then promoted to Corporal November 17, 1918. He returned from Europe on the Adriatic March 9, 1919 and was discharged March 15,1919 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Following the war, Kiely worked in construction in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the 1920s and 1930s. On May 17, 1927, Kiely married his wife Muriel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

At the start of the Second World War, Kiely joined the Cameron Highlanders in Winnipeg then transferred to the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He served in the 49th Battalion and was awarded non-commissioned rank of regimental sergeant major.

In 1944, Kiely and his wife moved to Langley, British Columbia where he worked as a superintendent with Bennet and White Construction. He retired in the 1950s. Kiely died September 6, 1963 in Langley and is buried in Murrayville Cemetery, Langley, British Columbia.