CSM Robert Kennedy DCM, MM & two Bars served with the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) in the Great War. Only Lt Edward Slattery of the CEF similarly medaled posthumously.
Kirriemuir, Scotland
Son of Robert and Euphemia Kennedy, of Beach Cottage, Southmuir, Kirriemuir, Scotland. Born 27 September 1888 in Kirriemuir, Scotland.
Peter Pan
Kirriemuir the birthplace of J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, and his birthplace on the Brechin road now a museum owned by the National Trust of Scotland.
Voormezeele Enclosure No.3
The best know headstone in the CWGC cemetery Voormezeele Enclosure No.3 that of 2nd Lt George Davies whose family friendly with playwright J M Barrie which later said that George was his inspiration for Peter Pan.
J. M. Barrie may have also based the character of Peter Pan on his older brother, David, who died in an ice-skating accident the day before his 14th birthday. His mother and brother thought of him as forever a boy.
16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish Regiment)
CSM Robert Kennedy, killed on 1 October 1918, at Cuvillers, had a remarkable career with the 16th Battalion. A member of the 43rd Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) draft which joined the 16th in July 1915, and from that date, with the exception of the eight months convalescing from wounds, present with his company.
Robert twice wounded, and on the second occasion invalided back to England. Returning to France, and awarded the DCM, the MM and two Bars for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
Enlistment of Robert Kennedy
Private Robert Kennedy 420412/A20412 enlisted 5 January 1915 with the 43rd Battalion CEF in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Pte Kennedy promoted Acting Lance Corporal as of 28 June 1916, in the Field, and later appointed Acting Corporal on 10 July 1916, also in the Field.
Corporal Kennedy appointed Acting Lance Sergeant, in the Field, 25 July 1916, and promoted to Sergeant on the same day.
Sgt Kennedy admitted to No 6 General Hospital, Rouen, GSW Left Hand, 8 September 1916.
Battle of the Ancre Heights (Regina Trench)
Following the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, with Major Cyrus Peck in command, companies in the front line suffered severely on 6 October 1916 near La Boiselle.
Sergeant Kennedy wounded again, this time GSW Arm and Leg, and admitted to No 8 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, 9 October 1916.
Invalided back to England, Sgt Kennedy finally discharged from Woodcote Park, Epsom on 10 January 1917, and attached to the 14th Reserve Battalion.
Military Medal
Sergeant Robert Kennedy awarded the Military Medal for actions at La Boiselle in September 1916.
“This N.C.O. had charge of the rationing during period Sept; 3rd – 7th. Although there was continuous shell fire day and night, the men were always supplied with rations and water. Much of the carrying had to be done overland as the trenches had been blown in. He has always displayed the finest conduct in the trenches.”
London Gazette: December 9, 1916
Return to France
On 20 June 1917, Robert completes his will once again, leaving everything to his mother. The next day, Sgt Kennedy SoS to the 16th Battalion from the 14th Reserve Battalion and proceeds overseas, catching up with his unit in the trenches by Vimy.
Sgt Robert Kennedy appointed Acting/CSM in September of 1917 following the Battle of Hill 70.
Acting/CSM Kennedy later confirmed appointment of CSM on 18 September 1917. Meanwhile, the 16th Battalion head back to Flanders for the Second Battle of Passchendaele.
Warrant Officer Class II
CSM Kennedy promoted Warrant Officer Class II, 18 September 1918. Warrant Officer Class II a rank created during the Great War in the Canadian Army. In 1915, the rank of Warrant Officer split into two classes, with Class II the lower of the two, and Class I the higher.
Cyrus Peck, commanding the 16th Battalion center, and CSM Robert Kennedy fifth from right in rear row in the Officer’s photograph above by Lt William Rider-Rider on 21 February 1918. CSM Kennedy proceeds on leave to the UK on 20 March 1918 and later returns to his unit on 7 April 1918.
Death of CSM Robert Kennedy
CSM Robert Kennedy DCM, MM and Bar killed in action on 1 October 1918 outside Aubercourt on the Somme. The narrative from the battalion history continued from the approach to Aubercourt.
Capture of Aubercourt
The Commanding Officer and Battalion Headquarters had meanwhile come forward to the westerly edge of Aubercourt below the Hangard Road, and from there witnessed the fighting that was taking place to the north of the village. Colonel Peck on seeing that McConechy’s platoon had been checked, ordered Company Sergeant-major Kennedy, who was close by, to lead a party straight against the village from the ground where they stood.
Kennedy and his men advanced. But, on entering Aubercourt, found it deserted with the exception of enemy machine gunners, stationed in the White Chateau. Still in action, the gunners enfilading the river bed directly behind a deserted battery of five point nine guns. Their resistance dealt with shortly afterwards by a tank, and Aubercourt and all the ground adjacent to it passed into the hands of the Battalion.
Machine gun fire
On the slopes of the ridge to the north the battle did not seem to be proceeding so favorably. From that direction came the incessant rattle of machine guns. The Commanding Officer, becoming anxious, ordered Captain Alec MacLennan, who had found his way into Aubercourt ahead of Lt Archibald William McConechy’s and Kennedy’s platoons, to take a party east along the Aubercourt- road, swing to the left, or north, and take in rear the enemy who were still fighting on the high ground.
MacLennan’s party started and all went well until it rounded a bend in the road a few hundred yards beyond the cross roads north of Aubercourt. There, at a spot devoid of cover, it met with heavy fire at about two hundred yards range from a quarry directly in front. Before the men could disperse nine out of the fourteen were hit.
Demuin British Cemetery
Demuin a village 5 kilometres from Villers Bretonneux. The cemetery on the right hand side just before entering Demuin. The register is available in the Mairie Saturday From 10.00 to 12.00.
Lewis Gun Crews
Attached to the group a Lewis gun and crew from Number 2 Company. The Numbers 1 and 2 gunners on coming under fire instantly dropped and came into action from the centre of the road, MacLennan lying to the left of Number 1, as observer.
By the intermittent firing of the enemy’s guns and the scurrying around of its crew, apparent the 16th gunners had found their target first try. When the pans of Lewis gun ammunition emptied, the gunners coolly picked up the rifles of the casualties and kept shooting until the enemy’s gun silenced.
Sancourt
The report of this last check reached the Colonel at Aubercourt
cross roads as a tank was moving past. He halted it; told the officer in charge, of the situation in front, and asked him to deal with it.
The tank went ahead up the Happeglene road, followed by a group of 16th men, which was joined later by MacLennan and the survivors of his party.
Aftermath
The fight over. The Germans at the sight of the tank at once
surrendered. When the 16th men arrived at the quarry, they found that it sheltered a regimental commander, his staff and a large number of men—a big prize.
Six enemy dead seen lying around the machine gun which had held up the 16th advance, the last victim being the officer.
Company Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class II Robert Kennedy MM and Bar last seen having a slight wound to his face attended to. No details available relative to the actual circumstances of his death.
Sancourt British Cemetery
Over 200 Great War casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 20 unidentified. The cemetery covers an area of 634 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
Sancourt a village in the Department of the Nord, 5 kilometres north-west of Cambrai and 1 kilometre east of the main Cambrai to Douai road (N43). Sancourt British Cemetery signposted from the village and can be found about 600 metres along the Rue Maurice Camier.
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Warrant Officer Class II Robert Kennedy MM and Bar awarded the DCM posthumously on 12 March 1919, London Gazette No 31225.
The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers, and non-commissioned members, serving in any of the sovereign’s military forces, for distinguished conduct in the field.
DCM the second highest award for gallantry in action (after the Victoria Cross) for all army ranks below commissioned officers and was available to Navy and Air Force personnel also for distinguished conduct in the field.
2nd Bar to Military Medal
Company Sergeant Major Robert Kennedy DCM, MM and Bar awarded 2nd Bar to Military Medal posthumously later on 29 March 1919.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Only Kennedy’s DCM mentioned at CVWM, a very peculiar oversight for such a gallant, and forgotten man.
Missing Men of the 16th Battalion
Where are the 44 Missing Men of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) who fell on 9 April 1917 in the Battle of Vimy Ridge?
These men, including Private William Johnstone Milne VC, and Private Robert Edward Bradshaw, are to be found buried among the Unidentified Canadian Soldiers in Plot IV of Nine Elms Military Cemetery.
Non-posthumous DCM, MM and Two Bar Recipients
- John Ogilvie Davidson (29th Canadian Infantry Battalion).
- Albert Kilby Hibbert (4th Canadian Divisional Signal Company, Canadian Engineers).
- George Johnston Oliver (1st Canadian Divisional Signal Company, Canadian Engineers).
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