Raymond left Fishers, and following spells with other coasting companies, he joined SS Empire Plover on foreign trade. In March 1947 the Empire Plover left Rio De Janiero in Brazil, bound for Britain, with a cargo of grain. On March 18th a distress call was received from another vessel, SS Famagusta, which was in difficulties in heavy seas in the notorious Bay of Biscay. Empire Plover responded and when she arrived on the scene, a lifeboat was launched from the Famagusta. The lifeboat overturned in the boiling seas throwing the occupants into the water. Without hesitation, Raymond dived into the sea and rescued a badly injured seaman. Diving in again he pulled a second man from the waves and seeing a woman in difficulties he went in a third time. He succeeded in get­ting a grip on the woman but a huge wave broke over them and they disap­peared. Raymond was a day short of his 19th birthday.

 

On 10th February 1948 the London Gazette announced that Raymond had been awarded the George Cross by King George VI. Raymond’s mother Brigid and his sister Rebecca travelled to London to collect the award which remains with the family.

 

Raymond Kelly was also awarded the Lloyds Medal for Gallantry for his selfless and courageous action.