Pte. Martin Joseph Kelly

Martin Joseph Kelly was born at Timaru in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island on 24 December 1884 (reg. 1885/3638). His parents were Richard Kelly and Eliza Kelly (née Carroll) who had married at Birr in County Offaly, Ireland on 21 October 1864. The family had emigrated to New Zealand in around 1874. Eliza died in 1891, and six years later Richard followed. He was a railway platelayer and had suffered a fit, falling and dislocating his shoulder. He died when placed under chloroform so the bone could be repositioned. Having lost both parents, 13-year-old Martin went to live with his older brother Dennis Kelly (1868-1941) at Konini (south-west of Pahīatua). There Martin finished his schooling and played football for the Konini Juniors. Dennis was the Manager of the Konini Butter Factory and Martin later worked there as a butter factory hand. During World War I he joined the Wellington Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion. Martin was killed in action at Ypres on 21 October 1917 at the age of 32 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium (bio by Debbie McCauley, 5 February 2024).

Mr Frank Kelly, of the C.F.C.A. staff, Timaru, has received word that his brother, Private Martin Kelly, was killed in action in France on October 21. Private Kelly left with the 18th Reinforcement. Prior to his enlistment he resided with his brother, Mr D. Kelly, of the Konini dairy factory, Pahiatua. Source: Timaru Herald (7 November 1917, p. 7).

The late Private Martin Kelly, brother of Mr D Kelly, of Konini, who has been killed in action, was born in Timaru 31 years ago, Upon the death of his parents, he went to reside with Mr D. Kelly at Konini, where he was educated. After leaving school he learnt the painting trade in Pahiatua, with Mr J. Smith, with whom he lived for some time. Deceased was a keen football enthusiast, and played for the Konini Juniors for several years. He left New Zealand with the 18th Reinforcements, in October 1916. Deceased was very well liked by his numerous friends and acquaintances. Source: Pahiatua Herald (14 November 1917, p. 4).

Sources

1. Cenotaph: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/...
2. Evening Post (6 October 1897, p. 6).
3. New Zealand and World War One Roll of Honour: http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~sooty/genealogy/nzefrohK.html / Ref 10.4.2021
4. Pahiatua Herald (14 November 1917, p. 4).
5. Timaru Herald (7 November 1917, p. 7).