Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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15655   Private James Kennedy
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 12/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 12/11/1895
Died: 01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
James Kennedy was a son of Charles and Matilda Kennedy. He was born in Maghera on 12th November 1895. He was one of 14 children. Like his father, James Kennedy was a farm labourer. Private James Kennedy was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was 20 years old.
Further Information
James Kennedy was a son of Charles and Matilda Kennedy. Charles Kennedy married Matilda Dillon on 18th July 1885 in the district of Magherafelt.
James Kennedy was born in Maghera on 12th November 1895. He was one of 14 children, nine of whom were surviving by 1911.
The 1901 census lists James as age 5, living with the family at house 119 in Maghera, County Londonderry. Charles Kennedy was a farm labourer.
Family: Charles Kennedy, Matilda Kennedy, William Kennedy (born 1886), Charles Henry Kennedy (born 3rd April 1888, died 14th June 1901, age 12), Mary Kennedy (born 12th May 1890), Lizzie Kennedy (born 27th December 1892, died 14th February 1893), Rosella Kennedy (born 23rd March 1894), James Kennedy (born 12th November 1895), Clara Margaret Kennedy (born 20th December 1896), David Kennedy (born 7th March 1898, died 9th September 1898), Margaret Kennedy (born 14th May 1900, died 3rd October 1900), Annie Kennedy (born 22nd May 1901), Charlie Kennedy (born 23rd July 1902), Margaret Kennedy (born 8th September 1903, died 6th November 1903), Alexander Kennedy (born 16th March 1905).
1911 census lists James as age 15 living with the family at house 17 in Moneymore area of Maghera, County Londonderry. James was a farm labourer.
James Kennedy enlisted in Donegal.
Medal card
Private James Kennedy was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. He was 20 years old.
Private James Kennedy is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery. Tincourt is a village about seven kilometres east of Peronne in the Somme region.
 Maghera Church of Ireland Graveyard.
Private James Kennedy is also commemorated on the family headstone in Maghera Church of Ireland Graveyard.
The CWGC record Private J Kennedy as the son of Charles and Matilda Kennedy, of The Cottage, Maghera, County Derry.
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Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Moneymore, Maghera Maghera Census listing in Moneymore, Maghera 54.845585 -6.669279
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Kennedy family 1901 census lists James as age 5 living with the family at house 119 in Maghera Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists Kennedy family 1911 census lists James as age 15 living with the family at house 17 in Moneymore, Maghera, Londonderry
3 Maghera Church of Ireland Graveyard Private James Kennedy commemorated on family grave including photo
4 Maghera Church of Ireland Graveyard Private James Kennedy commemorated on family grave
5 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private James Kennedy's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023