Distinguished Conduct Medal EVIIR (2479 CLR. SERJT: S.E. KENNEDY. 2ND MANCH: REGT.); Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (2479 C SEJT. S.E. KENNEDY. MANCH: REGT); Kings South Africa Medal clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902 (2479 CLR:- SERJT. S.E. KENNEDY. MANCH:REGT); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & LIEUT. S.E. KENNEDY. MANCH.R.); British War Medal (Q.M. & LIEUT. S.E. KENNEDY.); Victory Medal (Q.M. & LIEUT. S.E. KENNEDY.); Coronation Medal 1911; Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal EVIIR (2479 C.SJT: S.E. KENNEDY. MANCH:R.)
Samuel Edwards Kennedy, a career soldier, was born in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1872. He enlisted for service with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment and was posted to the Anglo Boer War in South Africa.
Kennedy's 2nd Battalion sailed on the Bavarian on 16th March 1900, and arrived at the Cape on 6th April forming part of the 17th Brigade under Major General Boyes, and part of the Division under Sir Leslie Rundle.
What follows is an extract of the war services of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment:-
20th to 24th April 1900. Engaged in operations for the relief of Wepener; thereafter marched north. May. Operating between Thabanchu and Senekal. 4th June. Occupied Ficksburg; held it till 20th. Frequently shelled.
20th June to 29th July, Holding Hammonia and part of line, Ficksburg westwards, to keep in Prinsloo's Boers. (This refers to the Brandwater Basin in the Eastern Orange Free State where, in July 1900, over 4000 Boers were hemmed in and surrendered)
29th July to 4th August. Marched to Harrismith, 115 miles in seven days. Thence by Reitz and Vrede to Standerton. Arrived there on 30th.
"During these four months the division was on very short rations, their boots and clothing were worn out, many of the men wearing sacks. A hundred men of the battalion were sent back from Reitz to Harrismith as they had no boots. At Standerton the men received fresh boots and clothes, and after that time supplies were more regular".
Marched from Standerton, via Vrede and Bethlehem, to Senekal. Had fighting there, and near that town some wagons, a gun, and 17 prisoners taken. On 30th September reached Reitz again. On 14th October occupied Harrismith. Left on 3rd November as escort to convoy; had fighting daily,—Lieutenant Woodhouse being killed on the 8th.
Constant skirmishes, sometimes developing into quite fierce actions, as at Rietpan on 6th January 1901. At times the battalion got a spell of garrison work, as at Bethlehem between 30th January and 27th April, during which time no mails got in. During May and June 1901 half the battalion went out with a column under Lieutenant Colonel Reay of the regiment. This column, working in the Brand water basin, had fighting every day.
During August to November the battalion was always on column work, pursuing Boers or taking out convoys. The enemy got numerous and daring in November, and the skirmishes were frequent and fierce. From the end of November 1901 till the declaration of peace the battalion was constructing and occupying blockhouses on the line Harrismith-Van Reenen's and Harrismith-Oliver's Hoek. That they held them well is proved by the largeness of the captures in the drives to that corner in February and March 1902.
Kennedy, a Colour Sergeant, performed so well that he was "brought to notice for distinguished conduct in the field S.D.O. Harrismith 17 October 1900" - the award of the DCM was almost certainly for the work leading up to and after Prinsloo's surrender in the Brandwater Basin in July 1900 - this was also the series of actions for which the Wittebergen clasp to the Queens Medal was awarded.
But Kennedy wasn't done yet - he was Mentioned in Dispatches by Lord Roberts in the LG 10.09.1901 for further distinguished work.
Post-war Kennedy continued on in the army. He was awarded the Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in 1908 whilst still a Colour Sergeant and, in 1910, an Acting Sergeant Major in rank and with 21 years of exemplary service under his belt, submitted his Claim to Pension to the Chelsea Board. He was stationed in India at the time. That same year he was promoted to be Quartermaster & Honorary Lieutenant with the 10th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Territorials). He was awarded the 1911 Coronation Medal the following year.
WWI was only a few years away and Kennedy was in on the action almost from the outset. On 9 September 1914 he was posted to Egypt with the 10th Battalion but, on account of poor health, was obliged to relinquish his commission - the notification of which appeared in the LG 30 May 1917. He was awarded the Silver War Badge whilst living at 121 Crompton Street, Oldham. His medals were posted to him at Rose Cottage, Tilley Road, Salop.
This brave man passed away in Whitechurch, Shropshire on 21 February 1936 at the age of 64. His coffin was covered by the Union Jack upon which was placed his officer's sword and medals.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with research.
