Frederick Norman Kelly

Rank:

Gunner

Regimental number:

91455

Unit at enlistment:

31st Battery, C.F.A.

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Woodland Cemetery, London, Ontario

Commemorated at:

St. Luke Anglican Church

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

328 Marlborough Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

328 Marlborough Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Rincemaker

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Widower

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX May 18, 1917

That her son, Driver Frederick Norman Kelly, artillery, had been wounded on May 6 was the word received this morning by Mrs. Charlotte Kelly, 328 Marlboro Street. No particulars of how serious the wound was given, or the hospital he had been admitted to was given in the yellow message. Prior to enlisting he was working for the Bell Telephone Co. Four brothers Dick, Tom, Will, and Dave are also in khaki and fighting overseas. Two of them, Tom and Dave, are with the first overseas battalion from the 38th Dufferin Rifles. Driver Frederick Kelly enlisted here with the 32nd Battery and on getting overseas was transferred. Next month he would have been gone two years, having been in the trenches nearly all that time. A year ago Driver Kelly was reported killed in action but this was found to be erroneous shortly after, a letter being received from him dated after the date on which he was supposed to have been killed.

BX December 14, 1917

Splendid Record of Private F.N. Kelly – Four Times Wounded He has Been Recommended for Decoration

In France 27 months, during which time he has been decorated with four gold stripes, one good conduct badge and will get four long service bars when they are issued and in addition to be recommended for St. George’s Cross (Russian), is in brief the record of Pte. Fred. N. Kelly of this city, who has been repeatedly reported wounded and killed, but is still alive. The above interesting facts come through his brother, T.A. Kelly, who left with the 125th Signal Corp., in a letter to his wife here. Pte. Frederick Norman Kelly is one of the few original Canadians who have been continuously at the front since the outbreak of war, being the oldest lineman in the 2nd Division. Referring to the St. George’s Cross, his brother says:

“But the way the Russians are now acting he may never get it. He kept up communications for 72 hours once, and has been over the top in nearly every place the Canadians have been in.”

BX October 19, 1915

Private Kelly Reported to be Dead

Although no official confirmation has been received in Brantford, there is a report emanating from Hamilton, that Pte. Fred Kelly of this city has been killed in action. Pte. Kelly, who enlisted with the 26th Battery, Seventh Brigade, is mentioned in a portion of a letter received in Hamilton from a fellow soldier of the Brantford man. The portion of the epistle follows:

“I was down to Rose barracks last night and was talking to some of the boys we left behind. Lieut. Dean received word that Kelly, one of the boys who came over with us was killed. He went on the draft of the ammunition column. He was sure a pretty good head. His wife died about two months before he enlisted and he leaves a babe of about two years old. He came from Brantford.”

Gunner Frederick N. Kelly left Brantford on June 17 with ten men of the 32nd Battery, under Quartermaster Chevins. He was a widower, his mother residing on the easterly end of a Marlboro Street. Gunner Kelly was a Brantford boy, and by faith an Anglican.

BX October 23, 1915

Driver Kelly Was Killed – Bullet Struck Him in the Temple – Was Driver of British Battery Ammunition Wagon

Definite word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. William Kelly, corner of Marlboro and Stanley Streets, that their son, Driver Frederick Norman Kelly, had been killed receiving a bullet through his temple. He died instantaneously, it is thought.

Driver Kelly, who was a single man, 24 years of age, left Brantford on June 17 for Niagara-on-the-Lake Camp, as a member of the 32nd Battery’s contribution to the 31st Battery. He sailed for England on August 17, and was transferred there to an old country battery, as ammunition wagon driver. He went to the front in September and on September 29 met his death through being shot in the temple by a rifle bullet.

He leaves to mourn his loss, and to take pride in the manner of his death – serving King and Country – his parents, two sisters, Augusta and Bertha of this city, and five brothers, Dick, Tom, William, David and Almar.

BX November 19, 1915

Some time ago, it was reported that Private Fred N. Kelly, of this city, had been killed at the front. Today a letter was received here from him dated Oct. 20, and as he was supposed to have been killed on September 28, this disproves the announcement of his death.

BX November 20, 1915

Private Frederick Norman Kelly, who was reported killed, is still very much alive. He recently wrote home to his parents here.

BX July 6, 1963

Frederick Norman Kelly

Frederick Norman Kelly, 72 of London, died Friday at home. His wife, the former Caroline Ethel Legg predeceased him. Surviving are two sons, Norman of Brantford and Robert of London; two daughters, Mrs. Eva Jenkins and Mrs. Claude (Kathleen) Root, both of London; four brothers, Richard and Thomas of Brantford, David of Galt and William of Woodstock; and two sisters, Mrs. Gus Newstead and Mrs. Spud (Bertha) Newstead, both of Brantford. Mr. Kelly is at the Needham Funeral Home for service Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery, London.