Mary Shaw Pollard Durham

[Mary Kelly]

Mary Shaw Pollard daughter of George Pollard and Mary Ritchie (also named Stewart) was born in 1891 in Castle Eden Durham. I have found Mary on all the census she has appeared on and her marriage to a Richard Littler in 1924 plus her birth, death and probate records.
What I need to do is find a connection between Mary and my 2 x great uncle Thomas Kelly who died in 1917 as she was given probate in his will and also claimed his war medals. I am guessing they were in a relationship but have no proof of this.
Does anyone out there have Mary Shaw Pollard in their family tree and possible a copy of her marriage certificate as it may shed some more light on Mary. I would also be interested on finding out who Richard Littler was.
Thanks Mary

[Merry]

Do you know what happened to Thomas Kelly's wife?

[Merry]

Do you have a copy of Thomas Kelly's army record?

[Mary Kelly]

Hi. This is a strange one because as far as the family were concerned Thomas was married to his wife Julia when he died and on her marriage certificate to her second husband she is listed as a widow. I have though found Thomas living in this country when he died while his wife was still in India where they married.
I do not have Thomas' army records.

[kiterunner]

I don't know whether you have seen his entry in the "Army Register of Soldiers' Effects"?
http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/60506/42511_6117462_0268-00045/?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=60506&iid=42511_6117462_0268-00045&fn=S&ln=Kelly&st=d&ssrc=&pid=40184

Needless to say, mistranscribed on ancestry but I have put in a correction.

It shows that any money due to him was sent to Mary Shaw Pollard, but doesn't give a relationship, just that she was his executrix.

[kiterunner]

The CWGC record says "Husband of Mrs. J. W. Kelly, of Bombay, India." So I would guess that they were separated but not divorced, and that was why he and Mary couldn't get married.

[kiterunner]

This is the link to the TNA catalogue entry for his army records:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1093796

There might be some clues in there.

[Merry]

I think your best bet would be to get a copy of the army record as it may contain some personal information.

I have though found Thomas living in this country when he died

But he died in France. Do you mean you have a UK address for him at the time of his death?

[Merry]

Just realised you meant Bayswater Row. :o

[Merry]

I was going to suggest getting a copy of Thomas's will, but it could be included in his army papers.

Might Mary have been his servant or housekeeper rather than his partner?

[Mary Kelly]

Thank you Kiterunner & Merry.
In the 1911 census Mary is living a few streets away from Bayswater Road, the address Thomas lived at when he died although in 1911 he was living in Chopwell.
When Mary applied for his war medals in 1919 she gives her address as the same one her grandparents lived at.
Previously I was always told that Thomas was living in India with his wife when he died so I am not sure if his family were aware that he was back in the UK or if they did they never talked about it.

[Mary Kelly]

Your housekeeper theory is one I have mulled over but............ just not enough information yet. :)

[Merry]

Thomas's pre WW1 army papers are on findmypast. He was discharged 22 Dec1906.

[Mary Kelly]

Thank you Merry. I am not on find my past and have had no luck finding his military papers on Ancestry. Does it give an address on those papers?

[Merry]

No address. it says he has no trade to go to.

The papers are definitely his though he lied about his age on joining up in 1885 - correct father and wife mentioned. There's about seven pages of info. There's a list of postings which might throw some light on whether he and Julia were together long. Do you know if he and Julia had any children?

I could type out the more important bits if you like.

[Merry]

have had no luck finding his military papers on Ancestry

That's because they only have WW1 papers for ordinary soldiers and by that time he had a commission. As kate said you could get his WW1 papers from the National Archives.

[Mary Kelly]

'I could type out the more important bits if you like'
Oh yes please! :)

As far as family knew he did not have any children and a search of records has failed to show any.
He married Julia Herbert in Bengal India in 1895 and I can find no record of her returning to this country until 1947 which was after the death of her second husband Charles Sidney.
She lived with Thomas' sister for a short time then moved to London where she died.

I am guessing they parted when he was first in the army. He became a colliery clerk after he returned in 1906. What is so unusual is that not person who I have spoken to in the past have any recall of his split from Julia or return from India. Very strange!

[Merry]

Page 1

Thomas Kelly

b Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham
aged 18 years 7 months
trade: labourer
already served in 3rd battalion Durham Light Infantry
enlisting in Durham Light Infantry
date 23 Dec 1885

Page 2

age 18 years 7 months
height 5'4"
weight 125lbs
chest 33 inches
eyes greyish blue
hair brown
religious denomination R.C.
distinctive marks: scar on front of left leg
date 23 Dec 1885 at Newcastle on Tyne

I'll do the next bit shortly.....

[Mary Kelly]

Thank you so much Merry :)

[Mary Kelly]

Oh wow so he was only 15!!

[Merry]

Page 3

service number 275 (I think!)
promoted to Colour Sergeant in Durham Light Infantry 2nd battalion 12 Feb 1896
"Certified that I elect to come under the rules contained in army order 65 of 1898 with effect from 1st June 1898" (signed) T Kelly
transferred Colour Sergeant 25/9/03
class 1 Colour Sergeant 1/4/04
posted Colour Sergeant 14/9/04
discharged Colour Sergeant 22/12/06

Total Service towards Engagement to 22-12-06: 21 years 0 days

Page 4

Durham Light Infantry

attested Private 23/12/85 - 5/12/87 - 1 year 348 days
transferred Private 6/12/87 - 26/11/89 - 1 year 356 days
appointed Lance Corporal 27/11/89 - 28/4/91 - 1 year 153 days
granted G.C. Pay @ 1d 8/10/90
appointed Pd Lance Corporal 29/4/91 - 2/9/91 - 127 days
promoted Corporal 3/9/91 - 22/3/92 - 201 days
promoted Sergeant 23/3/92 - 12/2/96 - 3 years 327 days
entitled to G.C. Pay @ 2d 8/10/92
total of length of service 10 years 52 days

Extended service at Mhow to complete 12 years with the Colours 25 Aug 1893.
Re-engaged at Poona to complete 21 years service with the Colours 21/12/95.

Next part shortly...........

[Mary Kelly]

Thank you :):):)

[Merry]

Page 5

Service at Home and Abroad

Home 23/12/85 - 5/12/84 - 1 year 348 days
India 6/12/84 - 16/12/02 - 15 years 11 days
Home 17/12/02 - 22/12/06 - 4 years 6 days
Total 21 years

Next of Kin: Father John Kelly of Scotswood Road. Newcastle on Tyne (that address crossed through and new address added) of Blaydon on Tyne.
Wife with husband

Medals and Decorations: Silver medal for "Long Service and Good Conduct" (without gratuity)
A.O. 31/2/1915 while serving as No. 3/10565 Durham Light Infantry

To whom married: Julia Winifred Herbert Mhow 15/4/95

Passed classes of Instruction: Musketry A.O. 1062 of 1894

Character on Discharge: Very Good - thoroughly sober

Place of Discharge: Stockton on Tees

Intended place of Residence: Not known

Cause of Discharge: Termination of Engagement

Page 6

Service number 2275 (must have been that on page 3 as it's clear here)
Thomas Kelly
Durham Light Infantry 1st Volunteer Battalion
Date of Discharge: 22 Dec 1906
Place: Stockton on Tees
age 39 years 7 months
height 5'8"
chest (fully expanded) 43" (range 3")
complexion fresh
eyes greyish blue
hair dark brown (turning grey)
trade none
intended place of residence not known
scar on front of left leg

Special qualifications for employment in civil life: none

Page 7

Repeat of some of the info already given. Length of service place of discharge etc.

Page 8

Soldier's signature as confirmation of discharge. Witnessed by Sergeant Major.

That's the end!! :D

[Merry]

His marriage entry is on fmp too:

Church of Rome returns (Central India)

15 April 1895, Thomas Kelly, 27, bachelor, Sergeant Durham Light Infantry, residence Mhow, father John Kelly, witness C Willis, banns, ceremony performed by Father Paul, Roman Catholic chaplain
Julia Winifred Herbert, 18, spinster, residence Mhow, father William Herbert, witness J Patter

[Mary Kelly]

Merry thank you so much. This is fantastic!
Quite sad he was so young when he signed up and I notice he grew 4 inches after joining.
I'm sure someone must of realised that he was younger than he said as not only was he small in height but he was small in build also.
Thanks again Merry x

[Mary Kelly]

I had previously wondered why his age was incorrect on his marriage record but it is now clear he had to continue the inaccuracies he gave on his enrolment form. :)