Martin Kelly was lost on the Armoured Cruiser HMS Natal when it tragically exploded in the Cromarty Firth during a party for the wives and children of officers.
Martin had been born on 18th December 1890 (although Navy records state 1891) in Stockton where his Irish father Daniel worked as a puddler in the iron works. Daniel Kelly had married Amelia Jones in 1886 in Stockton. She was a native of Staffordshire who had been brought to Stockton as a 2 year old and her father was a puddler in the iron works.
Daniel and Amelia Kelly had 12 children of which 9 survived infancy. They came to West Hartlepool around 1900 and lived much of the time in Florence Street Longhill. Before joining the Royal Navy, Martin was a labourer in the steel works.
When he lost his life, Martin's parents were informed at Hill Street Longhill, West Hartlepool. However one Navy source gives father's address as 9 Bedford Street.
Martin Kelly is remembered on the Chatham Memorial.
