Kennelly, James Martin (1865)
Place of Birth: Rushworth, VIC
Age: 21 years 4 months
Enlistment Details: Thursday, 7 January 1915 – Melbourne, VIC
Service Number: 1865 view online service record
Address:
160 Albert Street
Port Melbourne, VIC
Next of Kin:
D Kennelly (father)
160 Albert Street
Port Melbourne, VIC
Embarkation Details:
Date: Monday, 3 January 1916
Ship: HMAT Kyarra A55
Port: Brisbane, QLD
Unit: 31st Infantry Battalion – 2nd Reinforcements
Fate:
KIA: Friday, 11 August 1916
Place: France
Private, 46 Infantry, killed in action 11 August, 1916, France, aged 22, commemorated Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.
Parents: Daniel and Jane KENNELLY, born Rushworth, educated Roman Catholic. He enlisted in Melbourne as a 21-year-old groom with his father at 160 Albert Street, Port Melbourne. He was originally declared a Deserter after absconding from the Ascot Vale Camp in November, 1915. AWM Nominal Rolls show him as part of the 2nd Reinforcements for the 8th and 31st Infantry aboard HMAT Kyarra from Brisbane on 3 January, 1916 – this appears incorrect as virtually all the reinforcements are listed from Victoria and his file shows he actually embarked on the Kyarra in Melbourne on that date. Circular returned from 60 Derham Street. Eldest son, noted seven siblings, three brothers, four sisters. Cousin, William DUNN, killed in action 25 April, 1915, South Melbourne Roll.
Additional research by Brian Membrey
2 Comments
Brian Membrey
“J M Kennelly I knew very well, the number 1865 and initials are the same. He was in my platoon in D. Coy. and the date you mentioned is just about the date he was killed. He was man I should say 23 years of age or thereabouts, about 5ft 7 or 8 inches in height and was rather sturdily built, he had a rather ruddy complexion and a not very thick crop of fair hair. He used to do a bit of running in civil life and used to carry a pair of running shoes in his kit in case of any sports that might be held in the Battn … )F.H. Pellas, D. Co., 46th Battn)
Brian Membrey
KENNELLY -Killed in action, Private James Kennelly, loved eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Kennelly, 160 Albert-street, Port Melbourne
Inserted by his sorrowing friends, Mrs. Wragg, Mrs. Le Sueur and Ruby.