James Edward McKelvey

James Edward McKelvey was born in County Cork (exact place unknown) on 1 June 1839. Recorded in his death certificate are the names of his parents Margaret Owens and John McKelvey (occupation 'In the Army'). James Edward joined the 40th Regiment of Foot- Second Somerset Regiment in Limerick as a Private at age 16 on 2 May 1854. He was promoted to Drummer on 22 January 1855 in Galway. Later that year he was posted to Melbourne Australia then Hobart Tasmania where he met his wife Bridget Devery from Clonmacnois Kings County. They married in Hobart in 1863. After serving in New Zealand he was discharged in 1866 and returned to Tasmania as a Police Constable. In 1874 the family now with four boys were living in Dunedin New Zealand. James worked there as a Police Constable, Gaol Warder, Commission Agent and Accountant. He died 25 January 1896.