Harry Kennedy 1886 – 1914
Harry was born in 1886, the 3rd son of Phoebe and (James) Albert Kennedy, he had a younger brother and sister. In 1901 the family lived in Mount Pleasant, Wokingham and his mother, by then a widow, was a shopkeeper. Harry at 15 was a brickyard labourer and by 1910 Harry married Rosalie and they lived at 14 Easthampstead Road. Harry, by then worked as a scaffolder.
Harry joined the 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (6657). He probably joined up as soon as war was declared or even before as the 1st Battalion was a regular unit. He therefore very soon was in France. He died on the 9th November, 1914 whilst the battalion were involved in the First Battle of Ypres, Belgium and though he is mentioned in the battalion war diary as dying that day, a quiet day in that sector, he may have been injured before then as he was buried in Bolougne, the site of vast military hospitals. His wife is recorded as living by then at 15 Barkham Road, Wokingham.
A small article in the Reading Standard on 26th December 1914:
‘Died of wounds, Private H Kennedy 1st Battalion, wounded at Zonnebeke on 25th October and died in hospital in Bologne on 10th November. He leaves a widow and a boy of three’.
Name: KENNEDY, HARRY
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment Unit
Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 09/11/1914
Service No: 6657
Additional information: Son of Albert and Phoebe Kennedy. Husband of Rosalie B. B. Kennedy, of 15, Barkham Rd., Wokingham, Berks.
Memorial Reference: III. C. 8. Cemetery: BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
14 Easthampstead Road, Wokingham
15, Barkham Rd., Wokingham, Berks.