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Tuesday 31 May 2022

Kennedy, William


Private William Kennedy
Kennedy was born on 13th November 1892 in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the son of the Reverend Samuel Guiler Kennedy and Christina Lary (maiden name unknown).

In 1901 Kennedy (8) lived in house 5, Crescent Gardens, Windsor, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Christina Lary (6), J A Chancellor (5) and James (2). A servant, Helena Jane McCready also lived in the house.

Following his education at RBAI (Inst), Kennedy joined Northern Bank on 4th January 1910 at Head Office.


Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Shaftesbury Square (1910 - Junior), Magherafelt (1911 - Junior), Shaftesbury Square (1912 - Junior) and Head Office (1912 - Relief Staff).  


Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch


Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

Kennedy's bank staff ledger records "Willing to deliver passbooks to private houses".

In 1911 Kennedy was living in house 31, Cromwell Road, Cromac Ward, Belfast with his parents and 5 siblings; Christina (18), Josias(15), James (12), Samuel (9) and Herbert (8). A servant, Annie Trainor was also living in the property. William's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. 


On 9th September 1914, whilst based in Head Office, he volunteered and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private (Rifleman) with Service Number 14/16657. His unit is also recorded as the Young Citizen Volunteers. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.


William Kennedy - Medal Index Card

Kennedy was killed in action on 7th June 1917 and is buried in the Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery, Belgium. 

In the July 1917 edition of the Inst School News it was announced that Kennedy had been awarded a Certificate for Gallantry in the field.

He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.




Kennedy is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie
Administration of the Estate of Kennedy was granted at Belfast to Reverend Samuel G Kennedy.  Kennedy's effects were £200.

*  Thanks must go to this website for some of the photographs - Kennedy Genealogy.

Also see S G Kennedy who was a cousin and worked for the Belfast Banking Company.

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