Lieutenant Edwin David Kellock
Edwin David Kellock was born on 11 May 1885 at Clenlee, Larne, County Antrim, the second of two children of steamship agent Alexander Kellock and his wife Emma (nee Bailey). Educated at Cathedral North School, Londonderry, by 1911 he was living with his mother and brother at 13 Abercorn Road, Londonderry, and working as a clerk in a shirt factory.
Kellock enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 30 November 1915 (No.1996 – later Corps of Hussars No.71662). He gave his occupation as laundry manager. During his training at Antrim he qualified as a 1st Class Signalling Instructor. On 7 December 1916 he embarked for France, where he was posted to E Squadron, which was then part of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII Corps.
On 18 June 1917 Kellock applied for a commission in the infantry, with a preference for the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He left his unit for England on 11 July, but it was some time before he was posted for officer training – on 7 December 1917 he reported for duty at No.16 Officer Cadet Battalion, Rhyl. After a period of training there, he was assessed as having a very good standard of education and above average military knowledge and power of command and leadership, with special qualifications in riding and signalling. He was an "excellent worker, should make an efficient Officer."
Kellock was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant on 25 May 1918 and was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Oswestry. He embarked for France on 4 September where he joined the 5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, but within a week was attached to the 6th Battalion, Leinster Regiment. That battalion, however, was in the process of being disbanded, so on 5 October Kellock rejoined the 5th Inniskillings, probably seeing action in the final month of the Advance to Victory offensive.
On 17 April 1919 he was posted to No.318 Prisoner of War Company. Over the following months he also served at No.36 Prisoner of War Company, before embarking for the UK for demobilisation on 28 October.
Kellock was demobilised two days later, but was promoted to lieutenant the following month (an automatic step). He relinquished his commission on 1 April 1920.
After the war Kellock returned to work in the laundry business. By 1937 he was trading as Ideal Laundry in Strand Road, Londonderry.