Military History

Kennedy was one the early recruits for the 11th Battalion. This battalion was one of the first drafted in 1914 in WA and formed the 3rd Regiment, together with the 9th, 10th and 12th Battalions.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ascanius’ A11 for Egypt 2.11.1914.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 3rd Infantry Brigade, 11th Battalion, ‘B’ Coy,
Kennedy disembarked in Egypt, with his Battalion. They trained for 4 months, before entraining to Alexandria and joining the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) Gallipoli Campaign 2.3.1915. The 11th Bn. embarked per HMT ‘Suffolk’ for Lemnos 2.3.1915 and transferred to HMS ‘London’ and the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Kennedy was wounded in action in the Field at ANZAC with a bullet wound to his upper arm 2.5.1915. He was evacuated to 1st General Hospital at Heliopolis 2.5.1915 and transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Helouan 27.5.1915. On discharge, he embarked per HMT ‘Scotian’ to rejoin his Unit at Gallipoli 4.7.1915. Kennedy was admitted to the 1st Aust. Clearing Station with Diarrhoea 16.8.1915 and was transferred to Mudros per Hospital Ship (HS) ‘Ascanius’ to St Patrick’s Hospital Malta. Kennedy embarked for England as an invalid per HS ‘Brasile’ 9.9.1915. He was admitted to the King George’s Hospital, Stamford St. London 16.9.1915. He was discharged ex hospital and detailed to Weymouth, to 22nd Draft to reinforce the MEF 22.2.1916. Kennedy embarked per HMT ‘Kingstonia’ for Egypt. He disembarked at Alexandria 5.3.1916 and was transferred to the Base Depot at Ghezireh 5.3.1916. He rejoined his Battalion at Serapeum 10.3.1916. They entrained from here to Alexandria, joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and embarked for France per HMT ‘Corsican’. Kennedy disembarked at Marseilles 5.4.1916 and was taken on strength with the 11th Battalion. They moved into the front line near Fleurbaix on 30th May 1916. Kennedy was KIA in France 30.5.1916. He was buried by the Rev. W.K. Douglas at Rue Petillon Military Cemetery, Plot 1, Row H, Grave 24, M55/401 (12.6.1925). 2 ½ miles East of Laventie and 4 miles South of Armentieres.
Kennedy is commemorated at Rue- Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
Final Rank Private, 11th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Kelly worked as a stone mason on  the Guildford Grammar School Chapel of St Mary and St George
Brother Andrew Riddell Kennedy (SN 1081) enlisted and was KIA in France 1918.
Photo W.M.S. Kennedy. Sunday Times 24.9.1916 p 6
           Guildford Grammar School Chapel photograph by B. Dundas
           HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H16157
           Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman photograph source AWM P2194.005
           Ruins of Fleurbaix August 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0372
           Rue-Petillion Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC

Information Source
AWM H16157. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P2194.005. Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman photograph sourced fromt the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0372. Ruins of Fleurbaix August 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial        
AWM Embarkation Roll: William Murray Stewart Kennedy
AWM Roll of Honour: William Murray Stewart Kennedy
CWGC. Rue-Petillon Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Photographer unknown, photograph source Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Guildford Grammar School Chapel. Photograph by B. Dundas
NAA: B2455, Kennedy William Murray Stewart
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St Matthew’s - Fallen
Sunday Times
 W.M.S. Kennedy The Sun Kalgoorlie  24.9.1916 p6
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

Woodbridge Hotel, 50 East St. Guildford. WA.

Associated Images