Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of George William B. and Mary Kenning

Husband of Lena Margaret KENNING, Barker Street, Balgownie, NSW

THY WILL BE DONE

John and his family migrated to Australia when he was five years old in 1883.

KENNING - In loving memory of my dear husband and our dear father Pte. John Kenning, who was killed in action in France, 19 July, 1916

He was only a private in battle,
A part of that great rank and file;
Yet we at home still remember
The day he left us with a smile.
He lay down his life like a hero,
In response to his country's call,
Australia is proud of our hero,
Who was only a private—that's all.

Inserted by his loving wife and family.

KENNING. — In loving memory of my dear husband and our father, Pte. John Kenning, of Balgownie, who was killed in action in France, July 19th, 1916.

His country's call he answered,
The dear old flag to save;
But now he lies in far-off France,
And Alls a hero's grave.
He sleps beside his comrades,
In hallowed graves unknown,
But his name is written in letters of
love
On our hearts he left at home.

Inserted by his loving wife and family.

He was baptised on 9th September 1877 and was born in the July - Oct 1877 quarter, and when he died on 19th July 1916, he was 39.
The town he was born in was Blyth, Northumberland, England. He went to school at Mount Keira Public School, NSW.

He travelled with his parents (George William Barras Kenning and Mary Jane - nee Thompson) plus his siblings Robert Thompson b 1874 - d. 1888, Margaret Barras Kenning b. 1874; Sarah Thompson Kenning b. 1880, and baby Jane Kenning on the Assaye, leaving England on 4th September 1883, arriving 8th December 1883. They were sponsored by George's brother, Robert who had settled in Mt Kembla NSW)

The family settled in the Wollongong area (south of Sydney NSW) and his father George was a coal miner, and worked in Mt Keira Colliery. His parents had more children, with Thomas Thompson Kenning born 1885, and Abraham 1887. Their eldest son Robert followed in his father's footsteps and also worked in the mine. Unfortunately, the 15 yr old was killed in an accident at the mine in 1888 (run over by a coal skip), so when George and Mary Jane had twins in 1890, they named one of them Robert Thompson in memory of their firstborn. The 2nd twin was called George William Barras Kenning after his father. Three weeks after their birth, Mary Jane died as a result of complications of the birth, leaving George with 8 children.  We know George William Barras was adopted out and died at 7 months of age. Robert Thompson (the 2nd) was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Abraham and Elizabeth Kenning (nee Thompson - Elizabeth was Mary Jane's sister - 2 brothers had married 2 sisters). 
We are unsure what happened to the other children, but believe the eldest daughter Margaret had to look after the remaining 5 siblings. Their father George was blinded in an accident in the mine approx. 1892. He ended up very depressed and commited suicide by hanging on 10th July 1893. Margaret was 18 at the time. Margaret married a year later, the marriage certificate said that her guardian was James Allan of Balgownie. 

John married Lena Margaret Green on 30th October 1899 at St Michael's Church of England Wollongong, NSW.  They had 2 girls, Nina Jane in 1901 and Lurline Grace in 1903. (it is Luorline on birth details and Lurline on electoral rolls & death details, she never married).