KELLY FAMILY HISTORY
Last Updated : 4 May 2021
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My great grand mother, Sarah Randale
Kelly was a "dresser" for Florrie Forde. 
Florrie Forde was born as Florence Mary Flannagan on August 27th, 1876 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia. After her father died when she was young she took her step-father's name of Forde. At 16 she went to Sydney, where she found work in the music halls and theatres. She had a natural talent and gained some local notoriety. Her talent was noticed by a touring Englishman who offered her a job. At 21 she left for England were she was an immediate hit, and often worked several halls per night. In 1925 she even toured in her own review.
In 1903 she made her first recording. She is also noted for bringing fellow Aussie Billy Williams to one of her Edison recording sessions in 1906, where she encouraged him to sing his hit "John, Go and Put Your Trousers On". She would remain close friends with Williams until his death in 1915. It is interesting to note that Forde signed a contract with Edison in 1909 to record her songs. She was paid 40 pounds upon signing and 7 guineas for each Blue Amberol recorded, but only 5 guineas for a 2-minute wax. In all she made over 700 recordings. One of her many well known tunes was Down At the Old Bull and Bush.
Florrie Forde married in 1909 and by 1912 was drawing top billing. She was known as the
queen of the music hall sing along chorus. As such, most of her songs had catchy tunes and
easy to sing choruses. She did her part during the Great War by singing for the
troops and at charity events. Her version of "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" was quite
popular. She had a full career and proved herself to be a shrewd business woman. She
worked up to the end. She had just sung to the troops in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1940 when
she collapsed and died aged 64.
Florrie spent a lot of time on the Isle of Man. She performed at the Derby Castle ballroom stage from 1900 to 1937 (excluding the war years) and first appeared there in September 1900. Florrie was noted for making impressive quick changes of flamboyant costumes, hats and shoes after singing each number and would make 5 changes per night, each taking place within a few seconds. An article in The Examiner (Isle of Man) of 2/7/70 describes her as "well proportioned". She also did her shows without the need of a microphone. Florrie Forde had a bungalow at Niarbyl Bay on the west coast of the island where she spent her Sundays relaxing.
| A Bird In A Gilded Cage | Come Into The Parlour, Charlie | ||
| Down At The Old Bull & Bush | Flanagan | ||
| Girls of the Clogs & Shawl | Girls Study Your Cookery Book | ||
| Goodbye | Goodbye, Dolly Gray | ||
| Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly? | Hello! Hello! Who's Your Lady Friend | ||
| Hold Your Hand Out Naughty Boy | I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside | ||
| If You Should See a Little Soldier | It's A Long Way To Tipperary | ||
| It's nice to have a friend | It Takes An Irish Heart To Sing An Irish Song | ||
| Lets Pretend We're Having a Jolly Good Time | Lets Take A Stroll Around The Island | ||
| Maggie Jane | Mary's Ticket | ||
| Mother's Had A Row With Father | My Little Lovebird | ||
| Not Tonight Josephine | Oh! Oh! Antonio | ||
| Oh! Charlie Charlie | Oh The Lady With The Glad Eye | ||
| Pack Up Your Troubles | She's A Lassie From Lancashire | ||
| Susanna's Long Stocking | The Van Dam Family | ||
| When The Fields Are White With Daisies | Yip I Adee I Aye |
Florrie was also in a film made in 1934 entitled "My Old Dutch" in which she played the part of "Aunt Bertha".