Richard Kelliher

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Richard Kelliher VC (1 September 1910 - 28 January 1963) was an Irish-Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces. Kelliher received his VC while serving with the Australian Army, during World War II.

He was born in Ballybeggan, Tralee, County Kerry and emigrated to Australia in 1929, working in a variety of jobs during the Great Depression.

Kelliher enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on February 21, 1941, and was sent to the Middle East. He was assigned to the 2/25th Battalion, (Queensland) which was on garrison duty in Syria. The battalion returned to Australia in March 1942 and was sent to New Guinea, where it took part in the Battle of Buna-Gona, later that year.

On 13 September 1943, during the Battle of Lae, the platoon to which Private Kelliher was attached came under very heavy fire from a concealed Japanese machine gun, at Heath's Plantation. The machine gun inflicted severe casualties and prevented the platoon's advance. Private Kelliher suddenly, on his own initiative, dashed towards the post and hurled two grenades at it, which killed some of the enemy but not all. He returned to his section, seized a Bren gun, dashed back to the enemy post and silenced it. He then asked permission to go out again to rescue his wounded section leader, which he accomplished successfully under heavy fire from another enemy position.

Kelliher died in Melbourne in 1963. In 1966, his battalion association bought his VC for $2,000 and donated it to the Australian War Memorial, where it is on display.