50741 Trooper Robert Swinburne Kelly, cattle dealer of New Plymouth, embarked with the 31st Reinforcements on 13 November 1917. He died from meningitis at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, on February 6 the following year, aged 22 years, and was buried at the Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery. Following his death members of the 1st Wellington Mounted Rifles collected funds to contribute to some form of lasting memorial, not possible during the war when war regulations apparently restricted the form of soldier memorials to the erection of a wooden cross.

Undated newsclipping [Auckland Star, 29th May 1918, p7]: '"A Soldier's Memorial". MONEY SENT BY COMRADES. A graceful tribute to the memory of a departed comrade has been paid to a former Auckland boy, Private Robert Swinbourne Kelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Silliam Kelly of the Anchor Hotel, Queen Street. The parents received a letter containing a cheque for a considerable sum bearing the signatures of 97 of their son's comrades in the 1st Wellington Mounted Rifles, Moascar, Ismailia, Egypt. The letter states that his comrades wished a memorial to be erected to Private Kelly, their desire being in some way to show their respect for him. It is, however pointed out that, owing to war regulations, only a wooden cross can e erected at the present time. After the war private memorials will be allowed. The money was therefore forwarded to the parents, as it was thought best to let them make the necessary arrangements. The letter ends: "We would suggest probably the better way would be to erect some memorial in Auckland with the money collected, such as a church window or any other memorial you may think fit."

Donor's letter: 'Private Kelly is a grandson of the late Captain Kelly of H.M. 83rd Regiment. He was born in Auckland, but prior to the war resided in New Plymouth. He left with the 31st Reinforcements, in October 1917, and died of meningitis, aged 22 years, last February. The best proof of his character is the testimony of his comrades as shown by the letter.'