Ralph Gordon Kelly was born in Winnipeg and grew up on Wexford St. near Assiniboine Park with two brothers. He attended Chapman and later Charleswood School. He playing hockey and softball. He joined the 13th field Battery as a reserve and began training at TCA as a mechanic.
He enlisted in 1942 and after training became an air gunner with the 408 Squadron that flew Lancaster bombers. He died Feb. 20th, 1944, when his plane failed to return from a bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany. The plane was later found with all 7 crew members dead.