George Kellett: an introduction

Early life

George was born in 1894 and was baptised on 8 March.

At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 4 Bowman Street, Sandal.

He apprenticed as a joiner in 1909 at the age of 15.

He had an older sister called Ada.

An old sepia photograph of young George with his family. It was taken by Atkinson of Belle Vue, Wakefield. They are well-dressed and look like they are sat in their living room. George looks around 8 or 9, his sister a few years older

George as a boy (on the left) with his mother, sister Ada and father (Moses)

During the First World War

At the time of the war, George was a joiner, living in Agbrigg Road, Sandal.

He joined the Duke of Cornwall regiment.

At the beginning of 1918, he received a Christmas parcel. It contained a Christmas cake, parkin, a few apples and a diary.

In this diary he recorded his year as a First World War soldier. His family later donated his diary to Wakefield Museums, and it is this diary we explore in this resource.

During 1918 he served in both France and Belgium. He started the year recovering from injury in a ward before rejoining his regiment. He writes of daily activities such as inspections and parades, writing letters and receiving news from home.

When he’s not busy with tasks such as digging communication trenches and laying cabling, he enjoys games of cards, draughts and billiards, and training with a tug of war team.

His matter-of-fact account of such an historic occasion is typical of his stoic, often mundane diary entries that document a year at war.

George's rank was Private, and his service number was 36751.

A postcard featuring an embroidered peacock, with symbols representing the flags of the allies in its fanned out feathers. Also stitched are the words 'a kiss from France'

Front of an embroidered postcard sent from George to Emma

Back of the postcard, which reads: Just to wish you a Happy Easter from your loving sweetheart, George xxxxxx

After the war

George survived the war. He was demobilised (taken out of active service) on 21 January 1919.

A postcard from George to Emma, which reads: 21st January 1919 - Demobilised today. Don't write until you hear from me. Best love, George xxx

He came home to marry his sweetheart, Emma Horner, on 14 October 1919.

Emma Horner, George's wife, as a young woman. She is white, with her hair curled and pinned up, and well-dressed. She is wearing frame-less glasses that perch on her nose. She is wearing rollerskates!

A photo of Emma as a young woman. Note that she's wearing rollerskates!

George and Emma's marriage certificate

Reads: 1919. Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of Lofthouse in the County of York.

When married: October 14th 1919.

Name and surname: George Kellett, age 25, condition: bachelor, rank or profession: carpenter and joiner, residence at the time of marriage: Wakefield, Father's name and surname: Moses Kellett.

Name and surname: Emma Jane Horner. Age: 26. Condition: Spinster [unmarried woman]. Rank or profession: domestic servant. Residence at time of marriage: Rothwell Haigh. Father's name and surname: Henry Horner. Rank or profession of father: Ex police constable.

Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns by me, F. H. Scott, Vicar.

This marriage was solemnized by us, George Kellett and Emma Jane Horner (their signatures), in the presence of Henry Horner and Constance Mary Weaver

Handwritten certificate of George and Emma's marriage

Later life

George returned to work as a carpenter and joiner after the war.

At some point he started working for Drake and Warters Ltd, a joinery and shopfitters in Wakefield, which built the landing craft assaults for the D-Day operation in 1943.

It is very likely George was involved in this very important work or similar work, meaning he did not get conscripted again into the Second World War.

He was a trusted and longstanding employee. He is mentioned in a Wakefield Express newspaper article dating from April 1950, celebrating the firm's Silver Jubilee:

"Most of the people working there are local and many have been there since its formation. “They are the people that made the business” says Mr Drake. Six of them, Fred Mundy, George Kellett, Joseph Trantor, Ernest Blakey, John Beck and Edwin Thresh were presented with silver tankards…The firm’s employees are proud of their efforts in the Second World War… These included the building of 72 invasion craft in as many weeks"

George died in June 1967, aged 73.