Daniel Kelly was the eldest son of Hugh and Rose Kelly. He was born on 3rd June 1880 in Ardboe. He was the second oldest of eight children. They were a farming family who lived in Dromore, Killycolpy. Daniel Kelly enlisted in 1901 and served in the Boer War. He enlisted at the start of WW1 and served with the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards. He was injured at Festubert but later recovered and returned to the front.