Kelly, Francis

Corporal Francis Kelly

Kelly was born at 14 Vernon Street, Belfast on 5th June 1909 to Michael Kelly, Spirit Grocer and Catherine Kelly nee Duffy. They had married at St Eugene's Chapel, Draperstown on 7th September 1908.

On 3rd February 1930 Kelly joined Northern Bank at Head Office. At that time his address was recorded as 33 Vernon Street, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Virginia (1930), Oldcastle (1931), Strokestown (1934) and Head Office (1939).

Northern Bank, Virginia branch

Northern Bank, Oldcastle branch

On 14th November 1939 Kelly was ‘Called up for Active Service’ into the Royal Ulster Rifles (Armagh) as a Rifleman. Promotion to Lance Corporal and Corporal followed. He was in the Royal Ulster Rifles for 2 years and later transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for a further 4 years.

 
Following demobilisation, Kelly resumed duty with Northern Bank at Head Office on 5th November 1945. Transfers followed on Relief Staff (1946), Lanesborough (1948), Head Office (1949), Bailieborough (1950) and Head Office (1951).

Francis Kelly retired on 30th November 1956.