William Hew Clark-Kennedy VC DSO CMC joined the 13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion in 1914. During the Great War rose to command the 24th Infantry Battalion, CEF. Lieutenant-Colonel Clark-Kennedy four times mentioned in dispatches, and in addition received the Distinguished Service Order and bar. Furthermore, made a Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George, and awarded the Croix de Guerre.
William Hew Clark-Kennedy VC
A Lieutenant-Colonel during the Great War. Clark-Kennedy awarded the Victoria Cross for the command he exercised during an attack at Wancourt, France, 27-28 August 1918. Even though he himself wounded. The Victoria Cross is the highest military award for bravery in countries of the Commonwealth.
Like General Julian Byng, Clark-Kennedy had a strong military heritage. His grandfather decorated on the field, following the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. His father killed in the South African War, where he had also served.
Clark-Kennedy stood 5’10” tall, 135 pounds, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He had served with RHC since 1903, and previously with Rhodesian Horse in South African War. While in training at Valcartier near Quebec City, he married Kate Reford, daughter of businessman and philanthropist, Robert Wilson Reford.
13th (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion
Clark-Kennedy joined the 13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada, at Valcartier, Quebec, on 23 September 1914. The unit later arrived in St-Nazaire, France on 16 February 1915, with the battalion is under command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. O. W. Loomis. By 23 February, the battalion is in Armentieres.
Battle of Festubert
Their first day in the trenches comes on 6 March 1915, the day is quiet. The next day, artillery is active on both sides of the line. Soon, the battalion engaged at the Battle of Festubert. Clark-Kennedy later awarded the DSO for his actions.
The battalion marches to Essars, on 27 March 1915.
Second Battle of Ypres
On 16 April 1915, the battalion moves to St. Jean, about a mile west of St. Julien. The battalion is in the line on the first day of the Gas Attacks during the Second Battle of Ypres, 22 April 1915. Then, the line collapses on the immediate left of the 13th Battalion. Major Buchanan assumed charge of the front line. Twelve RHC fall on the 22nd. On 23 April 1915, the battalion shelled and gassed all day, losing another half-dozen men. Finally, late in the afternoon, they pull out of the line without the loss of a man.
For his actions during the Second Battle of Ypres, Clark-Kennedy awarded the Croix de Guerre avec Palms (Belgium) on 1 May 1915. On 29 May 1915, Clark-Kennedy injured his back. He discharges to duty on 2 June 1915.
3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade
Clark-Kennedy appointed Staff Captain, 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, in the field, 24 November 1915. The appointment likely comes from Lt.-Col. F. O. W. Loomis who later assumes command of the 13th Battalion on the same day.
Despatches, L.G. No. 29422
Clark-Kennedy Mentioned in Despatches, 1 January 1916, for actions while with the 13th Battalion during the Battle of Festubert.
Distinguished Service Order
For actions in the Battle of Festubert, Clark-Kennedy awarded the DSO, London Gazette No. 29438, 11 January 1916.
3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade
Transferred from 13th Battalion to 3rd C.I.B., 15 January 1916.
Croix du Guerre
Croix du Guerre, London Gazette No. 29528, 30 March 1916. Appointed General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade, 2nd Canadian Division. Appointed Brigade-Major, 5th C.I.B., 3 October 1916.
Despatches, L.G. No. 30448
To be Lieutenant-Colonel to command 24th Battalion, 30 December 1917.
24th (Royal Montreal Regiment) Battalion
Killed-in-Action
Clark-Kennedy once reported Killed-in-Action, 25 April 1918. Then, reported Alive-and-Well.
On April 24, 1915, an artillery shell lands near where he and two other men are standing. Clark-Kennedy’s companions killed instantly. Buried by earth and mud. Clark-Kennedy’s comrades believe he had died, and that his body had been either obliterated or buried. They report him Killed-in-Action. But, Clark-Kennedy suffered only minor injuries, and without anyone noticing, he dug himself out, and resumed fighting. It took a couple of days to sort out the error, and for Clark-Kennedy to cable his family, and tell them he was fine.
Despatches, L.G. No. 30706
Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No. 30706, 28 May 1918.
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Awarded Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, London Gazette No. 30716, 3 June 1918.
DSO First Bar
Awarded on 11 January 1919 for advance on the Somme, 8 August 1918 – DSO First Bar, London Gazette, No. 31119, 11 January 1919.
Victoria Cross
Lt.-Col. William Hew Clark-Kennedy VC. In the advance east of Arras during the Second Battle of Arras, General Currie’s orders for 27 August 1918 were to break through the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line, and thereby advance by eight kilometres. Two more days of bitter fighting before this defence system near Boiry-Notre-Dame penetrated. When the Battle of the Scarpe ended on August 30, resolute German garrisons were still stubbornly clinging to it.
When he spoke of the successes of the Army Corps, General Currie praised the 1st Canadian Division in particular for attacking and capturing the Fresnes-Rouvroy and Drocourt-Quéant Lines, which amounted to a penetration of almost ten kilometers.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and skillful leading on the 27th and 28th August, 1918, when in command of his battalion.
On the 27th he led his battalion. With great bravery and skill from Crow, and Aigrette trenches in front of Wancourt to the attack on the Fresnes-Rouvroy line. From the outset the brigade, of which the 24th Battalion was a central unit, came under very heavy shell and machine-gun fire, suffering many casualties, especially amongst leaders.
Units became partially disorganised and the advance checked. Appreciating the vital importance to the brigade front of a lead by the centre, and undismayed by annihilating fire, Lt.-Col. Clark-Kennedy, by sheer personality and initiative, inspired his men and led them forward. On several occasions he set an outstanding example by leading parties straight at the machine-gun nests. Holding up the advance and overcame these obstacles.
By controlling the direction of neighbouring units, and collecting men who had lost their leaders, he rendered valuable services in strengthening the line, and enabled the whole brigade front to move forward.
Chérisy
By the afternoon, very largely due to the determined leadership of this officer, and disregard for his own life, his battalion, despite heavy losses, has made good the maze of trenches west of Cherisy, and Cherisy Village.
Had crossed the Sensee Rivert bed, and occupied Occident Trench in front of the heavy wire of the Fresnes-Rouvroy line.
Under continuous fire he then went up and down his line until far into the night,. Improving the position, giving wonderful encouragement to his men, and sent back very clear reports.
Upton Wood
On the next day he again showed valorous leadership in the attack on the Fresnes-Rouvroy line and Upton Wood. Though severely wounded soon after the start he refused aid. Dragged himself to a shell-hole, from which he could observe. Realising that his exhausted troops could advance no further. He established a strong line of defence and thereby prevented the loss of most important ground. Despite intense pain, and serious loss of blood. He refused to be evacuated for over five hours. By which time he had established the line in a position from which it was possible for the relieving troops to continue the advance.
It is impossible to overestimate the results achieved by the valour and leadership of this officer. (London Gazette, No. 31067, 14 December 1918).
Recovery
Though wounded on 28 August 1918, William Hew Clark-Kennedy VC admitted to No.4 Canadian Field Ambulance on 29 August. Invalided to England 2 September 1918. Hospitalized until 18 October 1918, Clark-Kennedy granted leave until 18 November 1918.
William Hew Clark-Kennedy VC later headed for Belgium on 20 November, to catch up with the 24th Battalion, as they prepared for the March to the Rhine and the Allied Occupation of Germany.
March to the Rhine
Lt.-Col. William Hew Clark-Kennedy VC has just passed Sir Arthur Currie as he led the 24th Battalion across the Bonn bridge on 13 December 1918.
Despatches, L.G. No. 31089
William Hew Clark-Kennedy Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No. 31089, 31 December 1918 while with 24th Battalion.
Later Life
After the Great War, Clark-Kennedy returned to Canada and his job at Standard Life. He eventually became the firm’s director. He died in Montreal on 25 October 25 1961. Clark-Kennedy’s Victoria Cross held by the Reford family.
Reford Family
Andrew Drummond Reford born the son of Robert Wilson Reford and Katherine Sherriff Drummond. Robert Wilson Reford (3 August 1831 – 15 March 1913) a businessman and philanthropist from Northern Ireland. Reford emigrated to Canada and became one of the most successful businessmen of his generation. Perhaps best known for his shipping interests, he amassed a fortune based on a variety of business pursuits in Montreal.
Before 1901, Andrew Drummond Reford a Lieutenant with the 3rd Field Battery, Canadian Artillery and later served as a Lieutenant and Assistant Quarter-Master with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles in the Boer War. He earned the Queen’s South Africa medal with 3 clasps (Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1902). Between the Boer War, and Great War, he served as a Captain with the 3rd Field Battery, Canadian Artillery and 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada.
Reford enlisted as a Lieutenant for overseas duty with the 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in Sep 1914. Clark-Kennedy, his new brother-in-law, had also initially enlisted. Attached to the Royal Regiment of Artillery in Mar 1915. Court martialled in May 1917 for drunkenness in April 1917 while attached to the 298th Army Field Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column. Dismissed from His Majesty’s Service in June 1917.
Pine Hill Section, Mont Royal Cemetery
William Hew Clark-Kennedy buried beside his wife Kate Florence Reford in the Reford family plot at Mount Royal Cemetery.
The plaque on the base of the Reford family memorial fairly recent.
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Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow MM & two Bars and Private Jacob Isaac saw action at the Battle of Upton Wood.
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[…] men of the 14th Battalion had come up to fill in the gap below the town and at noon Capt. William Hew Clark-Kennedy of the 13th Battalion had taken the precarious passage from the frontline to Brigade […]