Born 17/10/18 in Chatham, ON., the son of Sarah Bernice (Turner) and Homer William Kelley; brother of Nelly Elvira (Lee), George Withey (A102834) and Theodore W.  He was living at 115 Delaware Ave., Chatham, ON.   Prior to his enlistment in the 1^st Kents 9/08/1940 at Chatham, ON. Ivan had been a member of the Chatham Kiltie Band.  He was employed at the International Harvester Company, in Chatham.

Ivan enlisted with the Kent Regt. 9/08/1940 and transferred from the Kent Regiment to the Royal Corps of Signals, where he served for some sixteen months in the trade of Electrician. He went overseas in April of 1943.

As a signal man he was attached to the Royal Canadian Dragoons (A Squadron) and served with them in the Italian campaign. He would later serve with the Royal 22^nd Regt. “Van Doos” in the Netherland. On 7 May, 1945 (VE-Day) Ivan was in Westerstede, a small town located in Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany. He returned to Canada aboard the S. S. Ile de France.  Ivan was discharged from service 1/12/1945 at Wolsey Barracks, London, ON. (Discharge Certivicate)

He served in Canada, UK., Contenental Europe and in the Central Mediteranian theatre. He received the CVSM and Clasp, Italy Star, France/German Star, 1939-45 Star and the Defence Medal.

Ivan married Elizabeth (Betty) Goddard on 19 January, 1946 and they had six children Barbara (Watson) Bill, Patricia (Waite) Gordon, Janice (Johnson) and Paul. Ivan went back to work at International Harvester in Chatham where he had worked prior to the war.

Ivan passed away 29/09/2007 and Betty 11/11/1991 with interment at Maple Leaf cemetery, Chatham,ON.

Information from Barbara Watson, daughter, various documents and photographs also submitted.  

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star
Sources	CDN (22/03/44(P)), CDN (30/04/43)

Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Religion	United Church
When Enlisted	August 9th, 1940
Next of Kin	Mother- Mrs. Sarah B. Kelley

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