Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MR. W. KELLY
CHILDERS, February 15.—
One of the Isis district's best known identities in the person of Mr. William Kelly passed away at his home at South Isis, Childers, on February 10, at the age of 74 years. The late Mr. Kelly was born at Graham's Creek, Maryborough, and the whole of his life, apart from war years, was spent in the Wide Bay and Burnett district, where he was interested in the sugar industry throughout his life. In 1902 he was married to Eva Leah Steley and the couple made their home at Kelly's Camp, Horton, where they resided for six years, after which they took up residence at South Isis. 
The late Mr. Kelly and his family have been associated with three wars, as he served in the Boer War, and in the first World War he lost his youngest brother, Mr. F. C. Kelly, while his son Roy died of illness whilst a prisoner of war in Japanese hands in Thailand in 1943.
The funeral moved from Christ Church, Childers, on February 11 after a service conducted by the Rev. N. C. C. Bertram. who also officiated at the graveside, where the Masonic ritual was read by Wor. Bro. H. A. lllett, and also that of the Protestant Alliance Lodge by P.M., Wor. Bro. W. W. Garland. The returned soldiers participated in the service. Mr. T. G. Gaydon recited the I'mmortal verse beginning ''They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old,' while other members ol the league held the Union Jack over the grave. Mr. C. H. Sigston sounded the 'Last Post' and 'Reveilie; ' The late Mr. Kelly is survived by two sons, Leslie and Frederick (South Isis) and five daughters. Eunice (Mrs. J. A, Beath. Wynnum), Joyce, (Mrs. G. M. Gribbes, Brisbane), Dorothy (Mrs. A. Winning, Brisbane), Marjorie (Mrs. J. K. Sampson, Victoria), and Gwen (Mrs. L. M. Redgwell, Nambour), and three sisters and one brother.

Queens South Africa Medal with clasps CC, OFS, TRANS impressed 186 PTE W KELLY QUEENSLAND M R

Queensland South African War Veterans Association badge numbered 477

RSL badge with 1947 year tag. Numbered Q6915

Irish 4 leaf clover enamel badge

Pocket watch in gold plate with initials WK and additionally engraved W Kelly from Father and Mother Golden Wedding 6-9-1915. Missing crystal

9ct gold fob with initials FCK, reverse engraved Highest Total Runs Cricket Season 1914

1914-18 War and Victory medals impressed 6705 J A BEATH. Impressing is later style with no rank or Battalion

William Kelly was born in Maryborough in February 1876. He served in the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. They embarked from Brisbane with a disappointing public attendance on 18 May 1900. The contingent, onboard “Manchester Post” called via Sydney for coal and water, where they were given a far more fitting send off on 22 May. They arrived in South Africa mid June 1900.

The 4th was one of the more active and well regarded Queensland contingents. A diary kept by Kelly’s Sergeant (John Perkins) details some of their campaigns as does the official account.

The unit continued in the vicinity of Rohensterkop until 17 December then between Rustenberg and Pretoria until 14 January 1901.The unit then changed brigades, and took part in a sweeping movement as far as Balmoral until 2 February 1901.  By this time the unit had an effective strength of 145, the Queenslanders had been in constant touch with the enemy and there had been many casualties of men and horses.

On 3 February, entrained at Balmoral for Naauwpoort Cape Colony, arriving on the 7th, drawing remounts, they started in pursuit of De Wet on 9th.  There were skirmishes on 12th, 13th where the enemy were engaged twice and Lieutenant Kellaway severely wounded, and an engagement at Wolvekuilen on 14th.  On 15th De Wet's heavy transport ammunition wagons, over 30 of them and a maxim gun and 12 prisoners were captured.

On the 17th, there was an engagement at Geeluck's Poort, then on 23rd the unit came in touch with the enemy at about 1200 (noon) near Pompean Pan on the Orange River, the engagement was not broken off until 20:00, and by then the enemy had been pushed 65 kilometres, forced to abandon a 15 pounder and a pom-pom. Thirty prisoners had been taken.

The unit arrived at Hopetoun on 24 February 1901, obtained re-mounts and rode to Orange River station where they entrained for Springfontein on 26th. From 1st to 15th March 1901, they rode to Winburg via Philippolis, Fauresmith and Pietersburg without incident. Entrained at Smoldiel on 20th and arrived at Pretoria on 22nd. Occupied Warmbad 30th, Nyalstroom 1st April, Pietpotgeiter's Rust 5th, Marabaastad 7th and Pietersburg 8th after slight opposition. Rode out to Oliphant's River on 14th, then to Pretoria on 6 May. Refit commenced a sweeping movement towards Bethel; there were daily skirmishes. Bethel was reached at 0--14:00 on 20th April, and a considerable number of the enemy surrendered as the stronghold was occupied. Under orders, the town was torched after the populace were removed (presumably to a concentration camp).

On 22 April 1901 the unit quitted Bethel and rode to Standerton via Reitpan. The enemy were present in large numbers, at one point charging within 250 metres before being driven back by our pom-poms. There was daily contact with the enemy until Standerton was reached on 27th. They moved out on 30th and engaged on a sweeping operation towards Piet Retief which was occupied on 9 June.

They were under orders to Australia escorted a convoy of prisoners to Utrecht. The 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen embarked on 5 July 1901 at the port of East London on the transport Britannic. They disembarked in Brisbane on 6 August 1901, their eventful tour of duty concluded.

Upon his return from South Africa he was married in 1902.

He lived in Isis, Bundaberg and worked in the sugar cane industry his whole life. They had at least 8 children.

Their son Roy James Kelly, born in 1908, died as a Prisoner of War on the Burma Thai Railway whilst serving as a Gunner in the 2/10th Field Regiment during World War Two.

William died at his home, South Isis, Childers on 10 February 1950, aged 73 years.

His obituary appeared in the Maryborough Chronicle 18 February 1950

MR. W. KELLY
CHILDERS, February 15.—

One of the Isis district's best known identities in the person of Mr. William Kelly passed away at his home at South Isis, Childers, on February 10, at the age of 74 years. The late Mr. Kelly was born at Graham's Creek, Maryborough, and the whole of his life, apart from war years, was spent in the Wide Bay and Burnett district, where he was interested in the sugar industry throughout his life. In 1902 he was married to Eva Leah Steley and the couple made their home at Kelly's Camp, Horton, where they resided for six years, after which they took up residence at South Isis. 

The late Mr. Kelly and his family have been associated with three wars, as he served in the Boer War, and in the first World War he lost his youngest brother, Mr. F. C. Kelly, while his son Roy died of illness whilst a prisoner of war in Japanese hands in Thailand in 1943.

The funeral moved from Christ Church, Childers, on February 11 after a service conducted by the Rev. N. C. C. Bertram. who also officiated at the graveside, where the Masonic ritual was read by Wor. Bro. H. A. lllett, and also that of the Protestant Alliance Lodge by P.M., Wor. Bro. W. W. Garland. The returned soldiers participated in the service. Mr. T. G. Gaydon recited the Immortal verse beginning ''They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old,' while other members ol the league held the Union Jack over the grave. Mr. C. H. Sigston sounded the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille; ' The late Mr. Kelly is survived by two sons, Leslie and Frederick (South Isis) and five daughters. Eunice (Mrs. J. A, Beath. Wynnum), Joyce, (Mrs. G. M. Gribbes, Brisbane), Dorothy (Mrs. A. Winning, Brisbane), Marjorie (Mrs. J. K. Sampson, Victoria), and Gwen (Mrs. L. M. Redgwell, Nambour), and three sisters and one brother.

Frederick Charles Kelly was born in 1890. He was raised in Isis and Maryborough and worked as a sugar planter with his brother William.

He enlisted in the AIF in July 1915 and was allocated the service number 1706. He landed in Suez on 31 January 1916 and Marseilles on 23 June 1916.

Sadly less than a month later he was killed in action in France on 20 July 1916  whilst serving as a Private in the 31st Battalion. His Red Cross file states that witnessed reported him being shot in the head and killed outright in the charge at Fleurbaix.

John August (also known as Alfred) Beath stated that he was a 21 year old cheese maker when he enlisted in September 1916. He embarked with the 13th Battalion in November 1916. It transpired he was actually 17 and after he served with the Battalion in France and contracted bronchitis a Medical Board deemed that he was under age and that he needed to be returned to Australia which happened in July 1917. He was a patient at the Kyooma Sanatorium from 1921-1928 as a result of illness contracted during his service.

He married Eunice Kelly, Williams daughter and they lived at Wynnum, Brisbane. He died in 1981. He claimed the loss of his medals in 1972 and a replacement pair were issued.