Kennedy, Samuel
Rifleman
No. 12983, 8th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Sunday 2 July 1916 (aged 28)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B)
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Samuel Kennedy was born in Cavan, lived in Newtownards and enlisted in Belfast.
Samuel Kennedy was born on 7 June 1888 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan and he was a son of Thomas and Mary Jane Kennedy (nee Smyley, sometimes Smylie).
Thomas Kennedy was a farmer and he and Mary Jane had at least nine children:
Caroline (born 8 May 1873 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Mary Jane (born 20 October 1874 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Isabella (born 29 June 1876 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
William (born 15 December 1877 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
George (born 9 April 1879 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Thomas (born 25 June 1881 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Sarah (born 4 October 1883 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Maria (born 19 October 1885 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Samuel (born 7 June 1888 in Lisnisky, Co Cavan)
Rifleman Samuel Kennedy served with the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 107th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website it is recorded that Rifleman Samuel Kennedy died on 2 July 1916.
In the heat of battle, the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles did not make a casualty return on 1 July 1916 and many military historians agree that those 8th Battalion casualties listed on the 2 July return were killed in action on 1 July.
In the Army Register of Effects, it is recorded that his sisters Sarah, Caroline and Mary Jane received payments, as did his brothers George and Thomas. His sister Caroline was married to Adam Ledgerwood, a weaver from Newtownards. They were married on 22 September 1903 in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Mark).
Rifleman Samuel Kennedy was 28 when he died, he has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.