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Kenny, Edward

Edward Kenny was born in 1873 in Pentrefelin, Caernarvonshire.

The 1881 Census on Ancestry.co.uk shows that the Kenny family were living in Jones Square, St.Asaph. Head of the household was Patrick Kenny age 41 born in Ireland an Agricultural Labourer by trade. His wife Jane nee Roberts was 47 years of age born in Pentre Felin, Porthmadog, Caernarfonshire as were their children, twins James and Richard age 12 born in 1869, Annie age 10, Edward age 8 born in 1873 and Mary age 6.

James’ twin Richard is shown on an outgoing Passenger list on Ancestry.co.uk bound for Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada on 4th April 1886 aboard The Parisian.

In January 1888 James Kenny received a letter from Richard’ friend who had also emigrated to Canada with the sad news that he had been killed in a locomotive accident. The following newspaper article appeared in the Denbighshire Free Press on 21st January 1888.

The 1891 Census reveals to us that the family had moved house to number 3 Luke Street, St. Asaph and there has been an addition to the family, namely William R. Kenny age 1. Head of the household, Patrick Kenny was a General Labourer age 51 and his wife Jane age  57 had the trade of Dressmaker. The children still at home were James age 22 a General Labourer, Edward age 18 a Blacksmith’s Apprentice and baby William.

In 1891, Annie Kenny was working as a General Servant at The Royal Oak Public House in St. Asaph and her sister Mary was also a General Servant living at 4 Chester St. St.Asaph.

Unfortunately Patrick Kenny died in 1893 and this seems to have had a very unsettling effect on the family as on the 1901 Census the family is effectively split with Mother Jane living in Gardeners Cottage St. Asaph with a family called Hammond, she is shown as a Visitor.

On 29th December 1893, Edward Kenny enlisted into 2n Battalion of The Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Wrexham, his  regimental number was 4190. He served at Home until 23rd November 1894, India from 24th November 1894 until 9th December 1897 ( 3years 16days) Home from 10th December 1897  until 29th November 1898, China from 30th November 1898 until 1st July 1901 (2years 214 days), Home from 2nd July 1901 until 26th August 1901, South Africa from 27th August 1901 until 11th September 1902,(1 year 66 days) Home 12th September 1902 until 8th December 1905 when he was demobbed after serving for twelve years.

Edward was wounded on July 13th 1900 during 2nd Battalion’s engagement in The Relief of Tientsin.

This is an extract from The Regimental Records of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers where Edward is mentioned.

Annie Moseley nee Kenny (Edward’s sister) is shown on the 1901 Census to be living in Littleborough, Lancashire. She married  George Moseley, a career soldier in the second quarter of 1898 having given birth to a son, Richard  Francis Kenny in the St. Asaph Workhouse in 1894, he is shown to be living with his mother but has the title of Nephew on the census.

Mary Whitehead nee Kenny, Edwards sister was also living in Littleborough Lancashire and had married, she had two sons and a daughter in 1902.

The 1911 Census shows that some of the family are back living together at 3 Denbigh Street, St. Asaph. Head of the household was Jane Kenny age 77 still a Dressmaker by trade she had two of her sons living with her, James age 40 a Labourer and Edward age 39 a Blacksmith. There was also a Boarder called J. Pierce age 66 a Widower and Coach Driver by trade.

James Kenny enlisted into the Army Service Cor, No. 1 Company as a Driver at Aldershot on 10th November 1915, he was 40 years of age, regimental number 144759. He served at Home until 25th November 1915 and was then posted to France where he served for three months gaining a 1915 Star Medal. On his return to England he serves three months and was then discharged due to suffering from Rheumatism in both legs which he had contracted prior to enlistment but the degree of pain suffered was higher due to aggravation during War Service. James was also awarded The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.

Edward Kenny enlisted into the 318th Protection Company of the Royal Defence Corps on 30th April 1915, his regimental number was 30604.

The Royal Defence Corps was primarily comprised of Servicemen and women who were too old or unfit for active duty overseas. The duty of the R.D.C. was to protect and guard primary location such as ports and bridges, also these units were used for guarding prisoners of war.

I cannot find a Service Record or Medal card for Edward, but  we know that he died of Pneumonia at  Seaforth Military Hospital, Liverpool as this information in inscribed on Edward’s Record Card which is held at the Flintshire Record Office at Hawarden.

Edward is buried in Mount Road Cemetery, St. Asaph.


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