E. Kennedy, No. 203406, Lance Corporal, Edward Kennedy, 1/4th Bn. (Hallamshire (T.F.) York & Lancs Regiment. Formerly: No. 2858 Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Edward Kennedy, the son of George and Ann Kennedy of Hoggards Yard, Keldgate, was born in Beverley in 1889.
He enlisted at Beverley on 9 November 1914 in the 2nd/5th (Reserve) Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment.
In the spring of 1918 the 49th Division was engaged in various phases of the German offensive on the Lys. On 26 April during the Battle of Kemmel, the Hallamshires moved at very short notice to the front line (Cheapside Line) on the Hallebast-Vierstraat Road. It was here during a heavy bombardment Lance Corporal Edward Kennedy was killed, carrying out his duties as a stretcher bearer. He has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the Memorial to the Missing, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Ypres, Flanders.
He was killed in action: 26th April 1918 aged 37 and Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 125-128). Also recorded on the
Beverley Memorial, Hengate, Beverley Keldgate Roll of Honour
“Lee-Corporal, E. Kennedy, Yorks & Lanes, Killed. Mrs Kennedy of 2 Hoggards Yard, Keldgate, Beverley, has been notified that her son, Lce-Cpl E. Kennedy, a stretcher bearer in the Yorks & Lanes, has been killed in action.” A letter from the Captain in the R.A.M.C. states “He had at all times proved absolutely fearless and self sacrificing …. On the day that he was killed he had done especially good work during an attack when the number of wounded was unusually large and had earned the decoration he held several times over.” (BG, Saturday 1st June 1918). (BG, Photograph, Saturday 10th August 1918). His brother Daniel Kennedy was killed in action on 14th July.
