Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award from British Queen Victoria on June 26, 1857 at Hyde Park in London, England (part of the first investiture ceremony held for the Victoria Cross) for his actions as a boatswain 3rd class in the British Royal Navy on August 31, 1855 in the Sea of Azov off the coast of Crimea Born in Kingston, on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, he was the sixth of ten children. In October 1841 he joined the British Navy and served on various ships, including the gunboat HMS Wrangler, that took him to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azof during the Crimean War, during which he was captured by the Russian Army while performing a raid on the shore. He was released in time to receive his award two years later. In September 1870 he became chief boatswain at the Chatham Dockyard in Kent, England and served in that position until 1878. He died in Chatham, Kent, England at the age of 56. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the French Legion of Honor and the Crimean War Medal. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 31 August 1855 in the Sea of Azov, Crimea, Boatswain Kellaway of HMS Wrangler, with the mate and three seamen, was put ashore to burn some boats, fishing stations and haystacks on the opposite side of a small lake. They had nearly reached the spot when they were ambushed by 50 Russians. One man fell into their hands, but Mr. Kellaway and the two other seamen had escaped when the mate accidentally fell. Mr. Kellaway immediately returned to help him, but they were surrounded by the enemy and notwithstanding a gallant resistance by Mr. Kellaway they were taken prisoner." His Victoria Cross resides in a private collection.
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award from British Queen Victoria on June 26, 1857 at Hyde Park in London, England (part of the first investiture ceremony held for the Victoria Cross) for his actions as a boatswain 3rd class in the British Royal Navy on August 31, 1855 in the Sea of Azov off the coast of Crimea Born in Kingston, on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, he was the sixth of ten children. In October 1841 he joined the British Navy and served on various ships, including the gunboat HMS Wrangler, that took him to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azof during the Crimean War, during which he was captured by the Russian Army while performing a raid on the shore. He was released in time to receive his award two years later. In September 1870 he became chief boatswain at the Chatham Dockyard in Kent, England and served in that position until 1878. He died in Chatham, Kent, England at the age of 56. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the French Legion of Honor and the Crimean War Medal. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 31 August 1855 in the Sea of Azov, Crimea, Boatswain Kellaway of HMS Wrangler, with the mate and three seamen, was put ashore to burn some boats, fishing stations and haystacks on the opposite side of a small lake. They had nearly reached the spot when they were ambushed by 50 Russians. One man fell into their hands, but Mr. Kellaway and the two other seamen had escaped when the mate accidentally fell. Mr. Kellaway immediately returned to help him, but they were surrounded by the enemy and notwithstanding a gallant resistance by Mr. Kellaway they were taken prisoner." His Victoria Cross resides in a private collection.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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