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15068   Rifleman Robert Kennedy
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 14/07/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 26/10/1886
Died: 30/10/1918 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 28
Summary      
Robert J Kennedy was the eldest son of James and Jane Kennedy. He was born on 26th October 1886 in Derrycaw. Derrycaw lies north east of Moy along the banks of the River Blackwater. He enlisted in Belfast, although he was still living in Derrycaw. Private Robert Kennedy was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was wounded. It seems Private Kennedy was moved back to England where he died of his wounds on 30th October 1918. He was 29 years old. Private Robert Kennedy is buried in Durrington Cemetery, which is near Salisbury in Wiltshire.
Further Information
Robert Kennedy was the eldest son of James and Jane Kennedy. Best fit for their marriage is of a James Kennedy and Mary Chambers being married on 29th May 1884 in the district of Dungannon.
The variations of the maiden name are considerable. These include Chambers, Cheevers, Shivers and Sugars.
Robert J Kennedy was born on 26th October 1886 near Moy on the County Armagh side of the River Blackwater. He was the eldest of ten children, seven surviving. All of whom were norn in the Loughgall area.
Known family: James Kennedy, Jane Kennedy, Robert J Kennedy (born 26th October 1886), Margaret Kennedy (8th September 1889, died 5th February 1890), Louisa Kennedy (born 2nd October 1892), William P Kennedy (born 5th February 1895), George Kennedy (born 5th December 1897), Henry Kennedy (born 25th March 1900), David Kennedy (born 1st July 1902), Margaret Kennedy (born 8th August 1904), Anne Kennedy (born 20th August 1908, died 18th September 1908).
The 1901 census records Robert as age 14 living with the family at house 5 in Derrycaw, Tullyroan, County Armagh. James Kennedy was a farmer. Robert was still at school
Derrycaw lies north east of Moy, near the Argory, along the banks of the River Blackwater.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 22 living with the family at house 9 in Derrycaw, Tullyroan, Armagh. Robert was working as a farm servant. His father was a coachman.
Robert Kennedy enlisted in Belfast, although he was still living in Derrycaw.
Medal card
Medal card
Rifleman Robert Kennedy arrived in France with the Royal Irish Rifles on 5th October 1915.
Private Robert Kennedy was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was wounded.
It seems Private Kennedy was moved back to England where he died of his wounds on 30th October 1918. He was 29 years old.
Private Robert Kennedy is buried in Durrington Cemetery, which is near Salisbury in Wiltshire.
Private Robert Kennedy is buried in Durrington Cemetery, which is near Salisbury in Wiltshire. His inscription reads: EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING FATHER BROTHERS AND SISTER JAMES KENNEDY, MILL ST., CALEDON
The CWGC record Private Robert Kennedy as the son of James Kennedy, of Mill Street, Caledon, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Derrycaw, Tullyroan, Armagh Moy Census listing in Derrycaw, Tullyroan 54.448734 -6.678929
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
29/05/1884 M Chambers Mary Parent M/1884/T1/1499/1/10b
29/05/1884 M Kennedy James Parent M/1884/T1/1499/1/10a
26/10/1886 B Kennedy Robert Casualty U/1886/12/1002/13/203
08/09/1889 B Kennedy Margaret Sibling U/1889/12/1002/14/386 Cheevers
08/02/1890 D Kennedy Margaret Sibling D/1890/12/1002/9/389 died age 0
02/10/1892 B Kennedy Louisa Sibling U/1892/12/1002/15/315 Louiza, Shivers
05/02/1895 B Kennedy William Sibling U/1895/12/1002/16/108 Shivers
05/12/1897 B Kennedy George Sibling U/1897/12/1002/16/498 Shivers
25/03/1900 B Kennedy Henry Sibling U/1900/12/1002/17/278 Shivers
01/07/1902 B Kennedy David Sibling U/1902/12/1002/18/43 Shivers
08/08/1904 B Kennedy Margaret Sibling U/1904/12/1002/18/292 Shivers
20/08/1904 B Kennedy Anne Sibling U/1908/12/1002/19/248 Shivers
18/09/1908 D Kennedy Anne Sibling D/1908/12/1002/13/311 died age 0
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Kennedy family Lists Robert as age 14 living with the family at house 5 in Derrycaw, Tullyroan, Armagh
2 1911 Census lists Kennedy family Lists Robert as age 22 living with the family at house 9 in Derrycaw, Tullyroan, Armagh
3 Derrycaw, Tullyroan Details of Derrycaw
4 Durrington Cemetery War Graves Details of Rifleman Robert Kennedy
5 FindAGrave.com Photo of Robert Kennedy's headstone
6 Lives of the First World War Brief details of Rifleman Robert Kennedy
7 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
8 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
9 Royal Irish Rifles - 10th Battalion Robert Kennedy, Moy, died of wounds
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023