Date of death:

June 22nd, 1944 (over Valkenswaard, the Netherlands)

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Service number 1586432, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

David Kelly was killed on 22nd June 1944 when his Lancaster III ND551 OL-V, was intercepted by a nightfighter and exploded in the vicinity of Valkenswaard, the Netherlands. In this incident all the crew (but one), Flight Engineer Flight Sergeant Harold Edward Houldsworth (DFM), Navigator Flight Lieutenant Norman James Cornell (DFC), Bomb Aimer Flight Lieutenant John Hall Wells (DFC), Wireless Operator Flight Sergeant Reginald Charles Bailey (DFM), M/U Flight Sergeant Charles Robert Taylor (DFM) and Rear Gunner Flight Sergeant David Richard Kelly (DFM) were killed. Pilot Flight Lieutenant Ronald Arthur Walker (DFC) managed to evade capture and was hidden by the Dutch Resistance but was killed on July 9th by the Gestapo when he was found.
Kelly lies buried at the Commonwealth Wargraves Cemetery in Woensel, Plot KK, Grave 81.

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• - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 22nd January 1946, Issue 37443, dated 25th Janury 1946
  - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission
  - 207 Squadron Royal Air Force Association