Ted, or as he was sometimes known Pat, Kelly was born in 1920 and enlisted as a TA soldier in 5 Northamptons in Peterborough in 1937. In 1938, in Northampton, he joined the Regular Army, enlisting in the Coldstream Guards. Within ten days he was returned to Northampton as “not being amenable to discipline” and invited to join the Northamptonshire Regiment. This he did and so began the career of a remarkable soldier. The Northampton’s gain was the Coldstream Guard’s loss.

Ted joined the 58th in Ballykinler but on the outbreak of war was posted to the Depot in Northampton as Carrier Instructor. From where he was drafted to the 48th in India, serving there, in Ceylon and Burma.

In Burma he was the Battalion Sniper Sergeant. His exploits became legendary. In the book on Imphal he was described as one of the notable personalities of the prolonged contest. He was a truly natural shot and on one occasion killed a Jap at 1200 yards. He was respected throughout the 14th Army and by the Japanese who nicknamed him “Koroshiya Kerii” – “Killer Kelly”. He was also responsible for saving the life of Major Peter Keily whilst under fire, not only giving him first aid, but also carrying him until they met up with some stretcher bearers. Another quote was: “that he seldom missed is testified by the twenty three notches on his rifle butt. The DCM was a fitting reward for this fearless man”.

On his return to the UK he served in an OCTU under a former Northampton, Major General Essame, and then in a German POW Camp at Orton Hall in Northampton. In 1948 he rejoined the 5th Battalion as an instructor. He was Champion Skill at Arms in 162 Brigade.

In 1951 he was posted to the 1st Battalion in Trieste, remaining with them for nine years. He was an outstanding Drum Major, Platoon Commander, CQMS and later CSM, in Korea and Hong Kong. On return to the UK he was appointed RSM and proved to be the last RSM of the Regiment. He received his LS&GC medal from HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.

After service as the RSM of the Federal Regular Army in Aden, he was commissioned in 1963 and posted to 1 R Leicesters as MTO. He went with them to Borneo. He remained with them on the formation of 4 R Anglian serving in Aden, Malta and UK. In 1969, on promotion to Major, he joined 5 R Anglian at Peterborough, remaining there until 1972 when he retired. 35 years of outstanding service from where he had first enlisted.

Ted enjoyed a successful civilian career as a manager in Northamptonshire before becoming Regimental Secretary on the retirement of Donald Baxter. He made a major contribution to the Association and continued to keep in contact with his weekly visits until the end of 2008. He started the Regimental Newsletter which was described as the best in the Country.

His son Paul and daughters Pauline and Gillian survive him.

PW