Charles Frederick Kelly was born in 1881. He was the youngest of four sons born to Charles and Louisa Kelly. Charles Senior was a commercial clerk, but he died between the 1881 and 1891 census leaving Louisa to bring the four boys up alone.
By 1911 Charles was living at 75 Lansdowne Road, Seven Kings, with his mother and one older brother. Charles was 30 years old and worked as a commercial traveller selling coal. In 1913 Charles married Ethel Tipping in Romford, Essex.
Charles enlisted as a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 9th May 1916. At this time Charles was living with his wife at 17 Bradford Road, Seven Kings, according to Charles’ enlistment documentation.
Exactly one year later on the 9th May 1917, Charles was killed in action, aged 36 years old. He was buried at La Targette British Cemetery in France.
A painting dedicated to Charles Frederick Kelly is displayed at St. Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Ilford.
Research by Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ancestry.com