Kellett, Frank (1893-1975)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

Frank Kellett: born in East Ardsley, near Wakefield, on 16th April 1893. He was born into a Methodist family, the son of a Primitive Methodist local preacher. In his youth he heard the call to preach, and having become.a local preacher he went on to offer as a candidate for the Primitive Methodist ministry. He entered Hartley College in 1914 and upon completion of his course in 1917 he enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps and saw active service in a field-ambulance unit in France, where he was taken captive as a prisoner of war. After his release arid his return to England he began his circuit ministry in 1921. 

He served in the following circuits: Stafford, Helmsley, Kelsale, Peterborough, Romsey, Winchester, Leighton Buzzard, Castleford (Bradley Street), Bilston (High Street), Poole, Bilston (High Street) (a second term), Bilston, and Faversham.

He was a kindly man whose friendliness and pastoral concern for his people endeared him to all who knew him. Unassuming and quiet by nature he was nonetheless possessed of great energy and humour. In his earlier years he took an active interest in sport, especially in cricket and football, and when age overtook him he was a keen spectator. He retired to Leighton Buzzard in 1958 and continued his pulpit ministry until 1972. 

He died peacefully on 30th July 1975 in the eighty-third year of his age and the fifty-eighth year of his ministry.

Family

Frank was born on 16 April 1903 at East Ardsley, Yorkshire, to parents James Henry Kellett, a Prudential assurance agent (1911), and Laura Bertha Hodge.

Before entering the ministry was an apprentice mechanic to a general engineer (1911).

He married Amy Elizabeth Eccleshall (1894-1972) in late 1922 in the Cannock Registration District, Staffordshire. Birth records identify two children.

• Peter (1926-1993)
• James W D (b1931)

Frank died on 30 July 1975 at Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

Circuits

• 1917 supply
• 1921 Stafford
• 1922 Helmsley
• 1925 Kelsale
• 1927 Peterborough
• 1930 Romsey
• 1933 Winchester
• 1936 Leighton Buzzard
• 1939 Castleford Bradley St
• 1945 Bilston High St
• 1949 Poole
• 1953 Bilston High St
• 1955 Bilston
• 1956 Faversham
• 1958 Leighton Buzzard (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1976/76

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers