Patrick Joseph KENNEDY
Per his initial military service record (regimental no. 2196), Patrick Joseph Kennedy was born at Braidwood, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 24 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 140 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed to have 12 months military service in the Australian Light Horse.
Patrick Joseph Kennedy was named in The Bathurst Times as one of four recruits who came forward to join the Coo-ees at the recruiting meeting held at Machattie Park in Bathurst on the evening of 28th October 1915.[2]
He undertook a preliminary medical examination, and signed a preliminary Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form, at Bathurst on 29th October 1915, the day the Coo-ees marched from Bathurst to Yetholme.
He completed his medical examination, and was attested by Captain A. C. Eade, at Lithgow on 2nd November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees rested at Lithgow).
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 2nd Light Horse Regiment.
On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Reidsdale, Braidwood, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, Richard Kennedy, at the same address.[3]
On 22nd March 1916 Trooper Kennedy (along with fellow Coo-ee Trooper Sullivan) departed Sydney on the HMAT A4 Pera, with the 15th reinforcements for the 6th Light Horse Regiment.
After arriving at Suez in Egypt, Trooper Kennedy marched into the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el-Kebir.
On 6th July 1916 he was taken on strength of the 2nd Double Remount Squadron at Serapeum, Egypt.
On 2nd November 1916 Trooper Kennedy was transferred to the 4th Australian Camel Regiment at Abassia, Egypt.
On 8th February 1917 he was transferred to the 4rd ANZAC Battalion of the Imperial Camel Corps at Abassia, Egypt.
On 11th January 1918 Trooper Kennedy was detached for duty at Battalion Headquarters.
On 19th July 1918 he was transferred to the Australian Camel Field Ambulance at Surafend, Egypt.
On 28th July 1918 he was transferred to the 5th Light Horse Field Ambulance at Surafend, Egypt, and appointed a Driver.
On 27th June 1919 Trooper Kennedy was transferred to the Australian Base Depot at Port Said, Egypt.
On 14th July 1919 he departed Alexandria aboard H.T. Magdalena for leave in England.
On 25th September 1919 Trooper Kennedy departed Devonport, England, aboard the H.T. Port Denison, bound for Australia.
He arrived in Australia on 17th November 1919.
Trooper Kennedy, along with several other local soldiers, was welcomed home at a reception held at the schoolhouse by the residents of Reidsdale on Wednesday night, 19th November, 1919, at which there was a banquet, speeches, and dancing.[4]
He was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 10th December 1919.
[1] NAA: B2455, KENNEDY PATRICK JOSEPH
[2] IN THE PARK (1915, October 29). The Bathurst Times (NSW : 1909 – 1925), p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111246741
[3] Australian War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Roll, Patrick Joseph Kennedy, 2196.
[4] WELCOME HOME AT REIDSDALE. (1919, November 21). The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119229410
1915 Coo-ee March 