Albert Kelk
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Kelk and Annie Kenyon were both natives of Worksop and married there in 1889, being residents at 27 Langley Street and William working as a general labourer. In 1891 they had a daughter who they named Lizzie. Five years later, in 1894 they had their first son, Fred, followed in 1894 with another son, Albert in 1898, both born in Worksop. Little did the couple know at this time that they were going to lose both of these sons in the war. In 1901, William had secured a job as a horseman working on the local Worksop estate of Osberton and living there at Western Cottages, Osberton Grange. Ten years later, 1911, the family were still living in the Osberton Grange Cottage, with the addition of William’s widower father, Thomas, and two boarders. By now, 17 year old Fred was working as a farm labourer and 15 year old, Albert was still at school.
The obituary of Pte Albert Kelk Worksop Guardian 11 October 1918 The other week we reported the death and burial with military honours, at Worksop, of Pte Fred Kelk, the elder son of Mr and Mrs Kelk, Hannah Park Farm, Sparken Hill, and today we record with every sympathy for the bereaved parents, the death in action of their younger son, Pte Albert Kelk, Sherwood Foresters. The late soldier had just attained the age of 21, a period when young men ordinarily look forward with undaunted hearts to the future, but he, poor brave lad, has already done all that man can do for his country. Like many more gallant lads, he went to the battle, not through any sheer desire of fighting but out of a sense of duty and patriotism, which overcome all lesser feelings. It will be some consolation to his parents, so sorely bereaved, to know that their two lads have died for the highest of all causes and that lives thus gloriously begun cannot be regarded as ended. The brothers enlisted together and it is a pathetic circumstance, that the news was only received this week. He fell in action in France on Sept 19th, a day on which the Sherwood Foresters confronted a heavy German force. He enlisted on June 21st 1916 and was in France in December of the same year. He was invalided in October following, and rejoining his regiment in France on August 14th last. Like his father and late brother, he was employed by Mr W Raines, by whom he was highly esteemed. We are very sur that Mr and Mrs Kelk have the heartfelt sympathy of the townspeople in their dark hour of sorrow. (Photo included in original publication)
CWG additional information:- Son of William Kelk of 16 Canal Road, Worksop and the late Annie Kelk Commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois memorial, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
