William Joseph Kelly

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Regimental number:

507627

Force:

R.F.C.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

September 26th, 1918

Cemetery:

Northampton (Towcester Road) Cemetery - Northamptonshire, UK, 463.I.17974.

Commemorated at:

B.C.I. High School Memorial Plaque

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

92 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario

Next of kin address:

49 Nelson Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Bank clerk

Employer:

Canadian Bank of Commerce

Religious denominations:

Roman Catholic

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BC March 3, 1918

William Joseph Kelly Receives Injuries While Flying in France – Eldest Son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kelly

Mr. and Mrs. P. Kelly, 49 Nelson Street, received the following cablegram:

“Beg to inform you that Probationary Flight Officer William J. Kelly sustained lacerated wounds upper jaw and lower lips, general bruising of body and shock as result of an aeroplane accident at Vendome (France), March 11th. Any further information received will be cabled.

Admiralty”

The above despatch refers to the eldest son, who was ledger keeper at the Brantford branch of the Bank of Toronto when he enlisted in the Division Signallers, Toronto. He transferred to the Royal Navy Flying Corps last November. Many Brantford friends will hope that further news will later be received of his satisfactory progress.

BX March 25, 1918

Doing Nicely

Mr. Patrick Kelly of the Bank of Commerce branch has received a cablegram from his son, Flight Lieutenant, William Joseph Kelly, who is at Vendome France and who was recently injured. The message was the reassuring one, as follows “Doing nicely, don’t worry.”

Cause of Death: Accident
Location: England

BX September 27, 1918

Flight Lieutenant William Joseph Kelly Killed in an Aeroplane Accident

The sad intelligence was officially received today by Mr. and Mrs. P. Kelly from the minister of aircraft that their son, Flight Lieutenant William Joesph Kelly, had been killed in an aeroplane accident in the old land. Lieut. Kelly was reported wounded some months ago, and was sent to England to convalesce. He recovered sufficiently and was later sent to Scotland, where it is believed the accident which cost him his life took place. He was formerly a well known and popular young bank clerk in this city, and had many friends everywhere. His death will be received with genuine regret, and the deepest sympathy extended to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly. Mr. Kelly is the well known messenger of the local branch of the Bank of Commerce.

BX November 13, 1918

Lt. William Joseph Kelly Killed in Accident – Sympathy of King and Queen Tendered to Bereaved Parents

Mr. P.R. Kelly of the Bank of Commerce Branch in this city, this morning received the following letter:

October 25, 1918

Privy Purse Office
Buckingham Palace,

Dear Sir,

I am commanded by the King and the Queen to express their sincere sympathy with you at the loss you have sustained by the death of your son, Lieut. W.J. Kelly, who, their Majesties regret to hear, has been accidently killed whilst in the service of his country.

Yours very truly
F.W. Ponsonby,
Keeper of the Privy Purse