Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Memorial – Thomas Kelk, an underage British Home Child, served under the alias John Foy, the name of his best friend back in England. Thomas Kelk name appears on this war memorial at the Methodist Church Bolton Rd Edgworth England. Two panels on the memorial carry the names of 28 men who spent time at the National Children's Home and Orphanage at Crowthorn, just outside the village of Edgworth.

Memorial – Thomas Kelk, an underage British Home Child, served under the alias John Foy, the name of his best friend back in England. Thomas Kelk name appears on this war memorial at the Methodist Church Bolton Rd Edgworth England. Two panels on the memorial carry the names of 28 men who spent time at the National Children's Home and Orphanage at Crowthorn, just outside the village of Edgworth.

Grave marker – Thomas Kelk was a British Home Child emigrated to Canada in 1914. He was underage when he enlisted WW1 under the name of John Foy (his best friend back home in England).

Photo of John Foy – Memorial scroll sent to John Kelt, brother of Thomas Kelt who served and died in WW1 using the alias 'John Foy'.

Photo of John Foy – Thomas Kelk was born on July 5, 1900 in Keighley, Yorkshire, England, the son of Samuel Kelk and Ada Naylor. After the death of both of his parents, he was emigrated to Canada as a British Home Child by National Children's Homes. On March 4, 1914, Thomas departed Liverpool aboard the S.S. Canada and arrived in Halifax on March 15, 1914. From there, he travelled with his party to the National Children's Home receiving, distributing home in Hamilton, Ontario. He worked on a farm in Middlesex, Ontario. Thomas was underage when he enlisted on Nov 22, 1915 under the name of John Foy (his best friend back home in England). Thomas died just one month after his 18th birthday.