Bertram Kelly

Bertram George Kelly (4 January 1884–1976) was born in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, and is credited with bringing electricity to the Island.

Early life

Bertram Kelly was born into a Manx seafaring family on 4 January 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.

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 an active member of the London Manx Society.

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 technical environment of Douglas Corporation Electricity Department, Kelly sought out a second career – this time in the church. After being ordained in the Church of England, 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 open air church services outside Kirk Braddan each Sunday during the summer, a task he adored.

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.