Cyril Arthur MCKELVEY

MCKELVEY, Cyril Arthur

Service Numbers: 292, 21760
Enlisted: 1 March 1915, Creswick, Victoria
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 6th Field Ambulance
Born: Kensington, Victoria, 8 April 1896
Home Town: Williamstown (Vic), Hobsons Bay, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Hospital attendant
Died: St Leonards, New South Wales, 1960, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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World War 1 Service

1 Mar 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 292, Creswick, Victoria
17 Jul 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 292, Hospital Transport Corps, HMAT Orsova, Melbourne
17 Jul 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 292, Hospital Transport Corps, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '24' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: ''
1 Oct 1917: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 292, Hospital Transport Corps
12 Nov 1917: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 292, Melbourne, Victoria
6 Aug 1918: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 292, Army Medical Corps (AIF), HMAT Gailka, Adelaide
6 Aug 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 292, Army Medical Corps (AIF), Enlistment/Embarkation WW1
14 Nov 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 21760, 6th Field Ambulance

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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

Cyril was the second child of four born to William Alexander McKelvey and Elizabeth Jane McKelvey (nee Durstan). When he was born his father was in partnership with his brother George Robert McKelvey in a number of successful butcher shops in and around Melbourne. Following a family tragedy William moved the family to Durban in South Africa, but it appears Cyril remained in Australia as shown on his enlistment papers.

It is understood that initially he was working in the Williamstown Abbotoir operated by his uncle George Robert. He then secured work in a hospital prior to enlisting. He enlisted twice, the first time he suffered illness and was returned an discharged. After recovering he enlisted again and would serve in France in the Field Ambulance which must have seen some horrific events. On returning to Australia he attempted to find work in hospitals but this was difficult without formal qualifications.

He eventually settled in NSW and as a talented pianist found work on cruise ships. He married Cecily Lois Hill in 1937, she passed in 1967 . He is the cousin of Harod George McKelvey (1370), George Robert McKelvey (2855), Dudley Roy McKelvey (2615) and nephew of Charles Edward McKelvey aka Claude (6899).

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