Photograph of John O'Brien

John Kenndy's story: My father John Kennedy joined up as John Fahey with the Leinster Reigment (no. 121176). He was transferred to the Royal Engineers. He used his mother's maiden name because he and his brother could not enlist with the same regiment together. He served in Ypres, was gassed and was given an invalidity pension after this. His index card shows the vistory medal and other medals were forfeited. This may have related to the fact that he signed up with his brother, and was ultimately found out, but we are not sure. I have also provided his discharge papers for the early Irish Free State army. He had been part of the Irish military police - many former soldiers had been drafted in by the government - between 1922 and 1924. He eventually went into pump-sinking, the family business. Charles Kennedy's story: I have also provided items relating to my uncle, Charles Kennedy, brother of John. Charles was born in Ballybrophy, Queen's County c. 1888. We don't know when he joined the army, but he was a career soldier. He had been in Templemore prior to First World War and also fought in the Boer War. He had been a pump sinker, and so joined the army as an engineer (no. 16677). He was sent to France on 3 September 1915 and was wounded. He ended up in Thessalonika/Salonika. I have had heard in the family that he had been in the Dardenelles and was sent to rest up, then was sent on to Thessalonika. He was killed in action during the Salonika campaign on 17 July 1917. He was reinterned to Karasouli Military Cemetery in Thessalonika. I have provided his Widow's Penny and photographs if Karasouli cenetry, including his grave. || Widow's Penny belonging to Charles Kennedy.

John Shannon, my second cousin, was born in New York City on 8 February, 1885. He came back to Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland. He joined the Royal Navy in Kilrush when there was a barracks and recruiting station there. He attempted to join the Royal Navy in 1901 (16 April?) aged 16, but was too young so joined the following year on 8 February, 1903 (1902?) on his 17th birthday. He was injured in 1904. He died on board the HMS Defence on 10 July, 1914. The Captain noted that he was aken ill. He was buried at sea, in the Adriatic. One letter mentions the Archbishop of Durazzo. The HMS Defence was sunk at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May - 1 June, 1916, with the loss of all on board. || Certificate of service; Certificate of 1904 wounds and hurts; Confirmation of his death; Discharge papers; Letter from the Captain for the HMS Defence to his mother on his death. || || John Shannon || Letter || Letter from Captain of HMS Defence to John Shannon's mother informing her of his death. || Malta || Letter from Captain of HMS Defence || || Letter from Captain of HMS Defence to John Shannon's mother informing her of his death. || Letter from Captain of HMS Defence || Malta || Letter || John Shannon || || Official document || Discharge papers of John Shannon || John Shannon || || Certificate of Service in the Royal Navy of John Shannon || John Shannon || Certificate of Service in the Royal Navy || Official document || || Official document || Certificate of Wounds and Hurts of John Shannon, detailing his injury. || John Shannon || Certificate of Wounds and Hurts of John Shannon