Private Michael Kennedy aged 36

Michael Joseph Kennedy was born in 1879 in Halifax. His parents were James and Ellen Kennedy, both from Ireland. In 1891 the family was living on Garden Street, Northowram, three girls and two boys. Michael went to work for Crossley Carpets shortly after his tenth birthday! By 1911, his mother Ellen is widowed, living at 5 Halifax Lane Fold with son Thomas, two daughters Rosie and Susan and grandson James William. Both Thomas and James William fought in the war. In the 1901 census, Michael is in the 4th Yorkshire Regiment posted at Sheffield Barracks. I cannot find any link to him being in South Africa nor at Ladysmith as reported in the newspaper, so this might not be true. His service record suggest he signed up with 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment in 1900 but was discharged in 1906. Ladysmith was November 1899 to February 1900. He rejoined the Army in 1916, aged 35, this time in the Durham Light Infantry, but had a few issues! In his service records it notes that he went AWOL three times. The second time he was found guilty of losing his kit. The third time, losing his kit again, he was docked 21 days’ pay. Initially serving in France, he had a spell in Italy (November 1917 until early 1918), then returned to the Somme area of France. The Hebden Bridge Times reported the following: He was defending the line during the German Spring Offensive north of Amiens in The Somme. He was wounded and sent to the No 29 Casualty Clearing Station at Gezaincourt where he died.

He is buried at Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension.