what happened to Arthur Harold KELLS?

[maddys52]

My grandfather left his family in Mackay, Qld sometime in the late 1930s, and I'm not sure what happened to him after that. Arthur was born in Greymouth, New Zealand in 1887, avoided conscription and moved to Australia around 1917 (I think) working on boats as a fireman. He married Grace WALTERS in 1924 in Sydney and had 4 children including my mother (the last of her siblings still alive). They lived in Kiama, Campsie and Mackay. I have pretty much all that can be found of him in New Zealand and Australia until 1936, including items on Trove about his being charged with gambling and SP bookies. But after he left the family I'm not sure what happened.

There is a NSW death certificate for an Arthur KELLS in 1963 which I have, but apart from being the same name and age, there is nothing on it which proves this is my Arthur. Except that the informant was Fred Empsom who was apparently a well known Sydney bookmaker and the Arthur who died was caretaker at a house in Lilli Pilli NSW. Was there a connection? I'm not sure. There is also an electoral roll for 1963 with an Arthur KELLS at this address.

I was recently told -by someone I do not know, but who contacted my brother through Geni  (my heckles and suspicions raised immediately as I prefer to do my research) - that Arthur may have gone to the New Guinea gold fields, but I have no idea when.

If anyone can give any insights, suggestions or help as to what may have happened to my grandfather, I would be very thankful.

(Btw, I may not have access to a computer for few days, so please forgive me if I don't respond straight away 

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

The 1919 NZ Electoral Roll, West Coast, Buller.

Arthur Harold Kells, Blackball, miner.
William Kells, Blackball, miner.
Annie Kells, Blackball, married.

Gerry

[maddys52]

Thanks Gerry,
Yes that would be Arthur and his parents. However, I do have Arthur on crew lists for the Burwah in April 1919 travelling between Mackay and Sydney, and various other crew lists after this date, so assume he wasn't living in NZ at this time.

Thanks again for looking!

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

I see the Arthur Kells as a fireman on the East Coast I guessed he just remained on the 1919 NZ Roll as you probably would if you were at sea.

I see an A Kells, 28, born NZ a crewman (trimmer) on the T. S. S Moeraki arriving in Sydney from Lyttleton NZ on 1st Feb 1916.

Gerry

[muss]

Hi
   Woronora Cemetery index http://woronoracemetery-org-au.mycms.me/finding-loved-ones

  has listed a Arthur HENRY Kells  22/04/1963         


  Muss

[cupoflife]

Hi
   Woronora Cemetery index http://woronoracemetery-org-au.mycms.me/finding-loved-ones

  has listed a Arthur HENRY Kells  22/04/1963         


  Muss

Notice in SMH https://s26.postimg.org/v2v9ceqih/IMG_7350.jpg
KELLS. - A service for the late Mr. ARTHUR HENRY KELLS of Port Hacking was held in the Chapel of the Woronora Crematorium on Wednesday, April 24th, 1963. Privately cremated.

[sparrett]

Had he been in the Newcastle district in 1935/6?

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142412602?

Car and motor bike accident kills one man.
Driver is A H KELLS EDIT (one report had S on the end, most do not)
Is this one of the later newspaper sightings you mention having?

Sue 

[sparrett]

 

There is a NSW death certificate for an Arthur KELLS in 1963 which I have, but apart from being the same name and age, there is nothing on it which proves this is my Arthur. Except that the informant was Fred Empsom who was apparently a well known Sydney bookmaker and the Arthur who died was caretaker at a house in Lilli Pilli NSW. Was there a connection? I'm not sure. There is also an electoral roll for 1963 with an Arthur KELLS at this address.
 
 

You did not mention the full details of the electoral roll.

1963. Caringbah
KELLS, Arthur Harold
115 Lilli Pilli Point Rd.
No occupation.

Sue

[sparrett]

There is no-one on the NSW Electoral roll named Fred EMPSOM.

On the D C, what is the relationship of informant to deceased?

Sue