In the lead-up to the Kiama Icons and Artists’ Orry-Kelly-themed event scheduled for 2025, The Bugle is planning a series of articles to share the story of Orry-Kelly and his impact on the world. If you missed the first article, you can find it here.

Orry was born in Kiama on New Year’s Eve in 1897. His father, William Kelly, was a well-known figure in the community. William is credited with founding the Kiama Progress Association and the Kiama Swim Club, serving as its captain for many years.

He also reportedly would perform the popular ‘Monte Cristo’ stunt at swimming carnivals which involved being tied up in a sack and thrown into deep water. Kelly would then surface after quickly disentangling himself from the sack. 

Kiama Historical Society president Sue Eggins, a researcher on Orry-Kelly’s life, provides further insight into William’s active role in the community: “Orry’s father was an outdoor man who was famous for swimming and running. His father reportedly saved a ship back in the day.”

William Kelly's Watch. Source: Kiamalocalhistory's weblog.

According to Eggins, William used his deep water diving skills to plug an open porthole on a ship which was sinking. He was given a medal inscribed “To William Kelly in recognition of services rendered on the occasion of the accident to HMCS Ajax.”

An article in the Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser on August 2, 1898 about an incident with the HMCS Ajax in Kiama on the night of Dec 4, 1888 confirms this theory, stating:

“The accident in connection with the Ajax … occurred during rough weather when … by some means one of the portholes opened or was left open. The after part of the vessel filled with water. 

The captain … after making preparations in case of emergency, gallantly steered the vessel into the safety afforded by the Kiama basin.

“Pilot W. Fraser had a big share in the saving of the Ajax and was also presented with a watch … And so was Mr Kelly for diving and plugging up the porthole.”

By all accounts, William Kelly was an active and respected man around town, deeply involved in physical activities. However, Eggins suggests that his vigorous lifestyle may have created some tension between father and son.

“Orry’s father always tried to make him more manly. Orry used to make stage theatres at home with little dolls and his father would throw it against the wall and smash it up,” says Eggins.

William Kelly's gentleman tailor shop. Source: Kiamalocalhistory's weblog

William seemed less than impressed with Orry’s dreams of designing dresses and costumes. Ironically William was a tailor and had a business in Kiama for many years. So, although they were quite different they ended up doing very similar things with their careers.

“I think he learnt a lot of skills from his father and I think he definitely learnt his craft from his father,” says Eggins.

His father passed away in 1924 after suffering from a stroke and never got to see his son’s success. Orry was in New York at the time of his father’s death, and didn’t get back to Kiama in time to say his final goodbye. 

It was only a year after his father passed away that Orry met actor Cary Grant who, at the time, was 21 and not yet famous. The pair lived together for a time and briefly ran a speakeasy in Manhattan and a casino in Nevada - and Orry’s road to stardom began.

Sue Eggins expresses a hope that, by the time of his passing, William had come to accept Orry’s career choices. “Although Orry never made it back to see his father before he died, I like to think his father had softened and would have accepted Orry for who he was,” she says.

And perhaps she is right, William Kelly’s entry in Obituaries Australia states:

It was a strange thing, however, that Mr. Kelly, just before his seizure, had a vivid dream that his youngest son was on his way home and it seemed to comfort him greatly. 

Kiama Icons and Artists are still in the planning stages for their Orry Kelly-themed event, but are holding drinks at the Sebel on December 1 for anyone who wants to support the project. You can find their Facebook page here.