7356 Lieutenant James Kennedy was born 8 February 1872 in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Robert Kennedy and Elizabeth Hutchinson.

Emigrating to Toronto, Canada in 1881, James enrolled as a Private in number 1 (A) Company of the Queen’s Own Rifles in 1893. By 1897, James was promoted to Corporal and in 1899, he volunteered for active service in the South African War as a Private. In early 1900, James took part in the actions at Paardeburg and Cape Colony. He was wounded in the arm at Paardeberg and invalided to England during that summer. He wrote down a brief account of his experiences that can be found on the South African War page here.

Upon return to Canada, James resumed his career in the Queen’s Own and was promoted to Color-Sergeant of A Company by 1902. In 1908, he was commissioned and retired from service as a Lieutenant in 1910.

In his civilian career, he was a Postal Clerk. In 1910, James married Emma Jane Galsworthy, and they had two children.

James passed away on 20 March 1931 in Toronto and is buried in St. John’s Norway Cemetery and Crematorium, grave reference 9-13-10(a).

Timeline of Military Service:

• 1893-94, Kennedy, Pte J, A Coy Nom Roll;
• 1896-97, Kennedy, Cpl J, A Coy Nom roll;
• 1897-98, Kennedy, Pte J, A Coy Nom Roll;
• 1898-99, Kennedy, Pte J, A Coy Nom Roll;
• 1899, 23 October, Toronto, enlisted for service in South Africa, 2^nd Special Service Battalion RCR;
• 1900, 18 February, Wounded in Action, arm-slight, Paardeberg;
• 1900, 6 June, invalided to England;
• 1900, 31 August, discharged from active service;
• 1901-02, Kennedy, Sgt JB, A Coy Nom Roll;
• 1902-03, Kennedy, Col-Sgt J, A Coy Nom Roll;
• 1908, 30 May, Commissioned to Lieutenant in 7 Company;
• 1909, qualified as Captain;
• 1910, Lieutenant, F Company.