Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-12
PHILADELPHlAS HERO
OF vERDUN Is BURIED
WITH GIRLS PICTURE
Edward Joseph Kelly, Who
Lost Life as He Drove
Ambulance at Ver-
dun, Honored
STORY TOLD TO SISTER

In n letter 20 Edward Joseph Keily'a
sister hero. A. Piatt Andrew. director OF
the American Ambulance Field Service IN
France, has graphically described the death
OF the young man and the ceremony at
tending his burial near Verdun. Miss Mar
garct r. Kelly, the sister. received the let
ter yesterday at her home. 89is girard
avenue. and II supplemented Mr. Andrews
cablegram Of about two weeks ago.
From letters signed sweetheart" which
had been received by the ambulance driver
In the few days he was at the front. n
pathetic romance developed. They were
all that served 20 Identify photograph
which went into heros grave. Some
where In philadelphia n young woman Is
grieving for the hero, but his sister re-
fused TO reveal her name.
The young man was killed by a shell
near dressing station at Marie, Just back
OF the nrinG line on the Verdun sector.
within n month after he gave UP his posi-
ton with an autor,obile factory here and
sailed for France. He was well known In
West fhiladelphia. where his father. the
late Josenh III. Kelly, was In the coal bust
ness and where he attended the veterinary
school Of the University OF Pennsylvania
for two years
Mr.. Andrew went at once TO tho front
on receiving report OF the death OF Mr.
Kelly and found he had been on duty oriy
six days, In the neighborhood OF Dead
Mans Hill. and was making his first trip
TO the Marie station when he was killed
This is one OF the most dangerous re-
sions on the battlefront.
Mr.. Kelly and youth named Sanders
had almost reached their destination, about
a mile behind the firing line. says Mr. An
drew, when German shell struck about
three yards in front of the ambulance, kill
ing the driver and seriously woundlng his
companion.
What followed is thus described by Mr..
Andrew:
II wish II were possible to convey 10 you
some impression OF the beautiful and NOV
ing ceremony which occurred on Tuesday
morning, September 26, In this little half
ruined village OF Blercourt Imagine a
sunny. warm September morning and n viii
lage street sloping up hillside filled with
soldiers in their faded. dusty blue uniforms
and about nifty American ambulance drivers
In khaki In the open entry OF one OF the
houses, the front Of which was hung with
the black and silver drapery OF the church
and the tricolor flags OF France. the coffin
was placed. wrapped in a great French
flag, covered with flowers and wreaths sent
by the different American sections in that
region and the different branches of the
army which they served; at the head a
small American flag. which was pinned
croix de guerre with a gold star on a
red and green striped ribbon, the tribute of
the army general to the boy who had given
his life for France.
The scene wa one which no one there
could ever forget they could only wish that
you and those who were closest TO Edward
Kelly might have been there and might
have felt the beauty and sincerity of the
tribute being paid 20 him. In the church
a choir OF soldiers sang and a soldier priest
played the organ. while the chaplain OF the
army division celebrated mass. The chap
lain's sermon, I have asked II possible. 10
have reproduced. and ] shall probably be
able to send II to you. He spoke very ten
derby OF what II meant to tho French people
that an American volunteer should have
given his life while trying 20 be of help 10
them In these hours Of their great trial. and
of what II meanI that his body should rest
forever in that sacred soil of Verdun, con-
secrated by so much OF their own blood, as
we'll as his.
After the service in the church the pro.
cession reformed and marched up to the
military cemetery on the slope Of the hill.
where your brothers body was laid away.
Your brother was buried In his uniform
or our American Ambulance Field Service,
and on his breast was a gold cross placed
there by his comrades in section four. In
his pocket was placed a photograph of the
girl whom, he apparently loved, found
among a number OF letters addressed TO
him and signed sweetheart His belongings
will be carefully looked after until we
hear from you what disposition you would
like TO have made Of them. His grave will
be tenderly watched over by the men of
his section so long as they remain In that
region and afterward will be watched over
by the cure and his associates.
Sincerely yours,
"A PIATr ANDREW,