Bertram Kelly

Infobox Engineer


image_size =
caption = Bertram Kelly - credited with lighting up the Isle of Man
name = Bertram George Kelly
nationality = British
birth_date =birth date|1884|1|4|mf=y
birth_place = Douglas, Isle of Man
death_date = 1976
death_place = Isle of Man
education = Southend High School for Boys, Southend, England and
the Royal Technical College, Glasgow
spouse = Daisy "Nina" Christian
parents = Captain James Kelly and
Margaret Qurik
children = Sybil Marjorie, Joan Christian, Monica Joyce
discipline = Civil engineer
institutions = Institution of Civil Engineers
practice_name = Borough Electrical Engineer - Douglas, Isle of Man
significant_buildings=
significant_projects = Bringing electric light to the Isle of Man

Bertram George Kelly (1884-1976) was born in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, [http://www.lawsons.ca/births/kelly.html] and is credited with bringing electricity to the Island. [http://www.gov.im/mea/general/history.xml History - Manx Electricity Authority]

Early life

Bertram Kelly was born into a Manx sea-faring family on January 4, 1884. His mother was Margaret Quirk and his father was Captain James Kelly. Captain Kelly was a master mariner who changed careers later in life to become manager of Southend-on-Sea Pier, Pavilion and Electric Tramways in 1887. Following this appointment, Captain Kelly moved his family to England. [ [http://www.gov.im/mea/general/history.xml History - Manx Electricity Authority ] ] [http://www.southend.gov.uk/content.asp?section=583&content=5652 The history of Southend-on-Sea pier]

Bertram Kelly was educated at Southend High School for Boys and Walton College before studying electrical engineering at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow. After finishing his education, Kelly took up electric lighting posts with Midland Railway, London County Council and Hornsey Borough Council. While in London, he was known as a hugely active member of the London Manx Society. [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/exans/prt_1923.htm 1923 (portraits) - Isle of Man Examiner Annual ] ]

Bringing electric light to the Isle of Man

Bertram Kelly returned to the Isle of Man in 1920, where he was appointed chief assistant engineer to the Manx Electric Railway. Two years later, in 1922, he was appointed as the first Douglas Borough Electrical Engineer – the year the "Douglas Corporation Light and Power Act" completed its passage through Tynwald. This enabled him to supervise the building of the North Quay power station.

Church career

After retiring from the highly technical environment of Douglas Corporation Electricity Department, Kelly sought out a second career - this time in the church. After being ordained as a Church of England priest, he became vicar of Kirk Braddan, on the Isle of Man, in 1950. He served the parish for the next 14 years, until he retired for the second time in 1964. Part of his duties involved taking the huge Open Air Church Services outside Kirk Braddan each Sunday during the summer, a task he adored. [ [http://www.gumbley.net/history.htm The history of the Parish of Braddan and Kelly's role as vicar]

Personal life

Bertram Kelly married Douglas-born Daisy Christian at Dhoon Church, near Laxey, in 1911. The marriage produced three daughters, twins Sybil Marjorie and Joan Christian in 1912 and Monica Joyce in 1917. He died in 1976, at the age of 92.

References

External links

* [http://www.lawsons.ca/births/kelly.html Details of the birth of Betram George Kelly]
* [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/exans/prt_1923.htm Photo and details of Betram Kelly and his career]
* [http://www.gov.im/mea/general/history.xml Details of Kelly's career on the MEA website]
* [http://www.gumbley.net/history.htm The history of the Parish of Braddan and Kelly's role as vicar]
* [http://www.southend.gov.uk/content.asp?section=583&content=5652 The history of Southend-on-Sea pier]