Name

James McKendry

Description

Newspaper Photograph of James McKendry.

Life Story

Name: James McKendry.

Service Number: 2798.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 9th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 5th October 1891, Ballymena.

Died: 1st July 1916.

Address: 129 Bellevue Street, Belfast

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James McKendry, son of Mary McKendry, lived at 129 Bellevue Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

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James joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France.

James was a Rifleman in 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 1st of July 1916 aged 24 years.

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A local newspaper states.

Private James McKendry, West Belfast Volunteers, has been killed in action. Before enlisting he was employed in the flour mills of Messrs Andrews Ltd, Percy Street. His aunt resides at 129 Bellevue Street

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Family Information.

S.A.S.H were contacted by a Mrs Elaine Munn whose grandfather, Thomas McKendry, was a cousin of James.

Elaine recounted a family story about how her great grandmother Margaret, mother of William and Thomas McKendry, with her sister Mary, mother of James, Samuel and John McKendry, had left Ballymena and walked to Belfast with their five boys in hope of a better life.

Marys three boys all enlisted, with James, or Wee Jamsie as Elaine's Grandmother would call him, being Killed In Action on the 1st of July 1916. Samuel and John both survived the war, however for unknown reasons James brother John had by the time of enlisting changed his surname to Kennedy, and Samuel had changed his to McMullen during his service

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There is some confusion within James documentation and family memories concerning his mother, aunt etc, something that can come with the passing of time, however the facts are still the same, he joined, fought and died.

On behalf of S.A.S.H I would like to thank Mrs Munn for her photographs and information concerning her family.

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See brother also: 17/739 Rifleman John McKendry, Kennedy 17th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

See brother also: 20890 Private Samuel McKendry Royal Irish Fusiliers.

See family member: 2815 Private William McKendry2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

See brother also: Thomas McKendry

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James Soldiers Effects were left to his Aunt Mary, however family recollections recall Mary actually being his mother.

James Pension Application Form shows Mary as claimant.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows Mary as claimant also

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James received the British War Medal and Victory Medal

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He is Remembered at Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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