Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert, so named in his father’s and grandfather’s honour, was born in Euchunga on the 17th May ’21 to Dora Emily and Robert. He had two younger brothers, Brian born in ’27 and Ronald (Paddy) and sister Mary.
The family then moved to Halbury where they farmed. Typical of so many country young people, Robert proved to be a particularly capable sportsman in several activities including tennis, cricket and football. In the latter, Robert was a regular goal kicker and leading goal scorer. Whilst still at school, his performance in local cricket against a strong Kybunga team, which was expected to have an easy win, was exceptional. The Wooroora Producer described the feature of the match ‘when R. Kennedy, who is only a 14-year-old boy, defied the bowlers for nearly an hour and with L. Anderson added 53 runs in a partnership. He played all the bowlers with great confidence and made many splendid strokes. His innings was the deciding factor of the match, and it was a meritorious performance, against such good bowling.’ In all he scored 30 runs.
Within a fortnight of that achievement, his father died on the 4th September ’35 just days prior to his 77th birthday. A close friend later wrote about Robert Snr; "Bob" as he was affectionately known to a wide circle of friends in Balaklava, to which place he was a frequent visitor, was a man of interesting personality and won the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was a wide and intelligent reader and a keen student of what he liked to call "The 'Book of Books.’ After his business in town was finished, he much appreciated engaging in conversation with his friends, and whether the gatherings were in an hotel bar or a private house, it was no rare experience to find that Biblical subjects provided the theme of discussion. Some people, perhaps, thought that the introduction of such topics on licensed premises was incongruous, but there was nothing of that in his case. Bob was a practical Christian who delighted in helping, those who found themselves on the thorny paths of life.’
Just after his 19th birthday, Robert enlisted on the 29th June ’40. Two different numbers are attributed to him; SX500268 to the 22nd March ’41 and then with 2/48th from the 1st July ’42 where he was promoted to Corporal SX7092, again with the 2/48th. By the 25th October ’42, this young man had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions in El Alamein for bravery, coolness and leadership at Miteiriya Ridge.
John Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan described the conditions experienced in the fierce fighting that ensued at that time in the battle for Trig 29. Twelve men were killed in a massive blast from the exploding Allied trucks that had been carrying war equipment. A counter-attack ensued that night as “some of the bitterest and bloodiest hand to hand fighting in which members of the 2/48th had ever been engaged. Cries and shouts of the men made the night hideous… Corporal K. Albrecht, a section leader of this platoon, led Private T. Holmes, J. Gardiner, Jack Duffield, Harry Langdon, Jack Cufley and Bill Fletcher in a mad charge across the fire-swept ground, only to find the post was really a dug-in German Mark III tank. Albrecht did not pause but moved in and hurled a 73 grenade right on the target, knocking the whole crew unconscious. Hand grenades then finished the job. Another section leader, Corporal R.F. Kennedy, attacked a post that was holding up his section; he killed two Germans. Later in the assault Corporal Kennedy went to the assistance of his machine-gunner, who was out of ammunition and was being attacked from both sides. Kennedy raced in and bayoneted the enemy.’ As the fighting continued, ‘Although Albrecht and Kennedy were both badly wounded, they refused to be evacuated until their sections were dug in and ready for counter attack. By their gallantry and leadership, they had earned the Distinguished conduct Medals they were later awarded.’
In Adelaide to Alamein, Darren Paech also retold the incident. ‘Another C Company man, Corporal Robert Kennedy from Echunga, South Australia, the commander of 8 Section in 15 Platoon, had told his men before the attack ‘None of you men get in front of me’. He wanted to know that anyone in front of him was the enemy, so he would not need to hesitate before shooting in the darkness and confusion. After leaping from his carrier, he plunged into a post that was firing at his section and viciously bayoneted the two German defenders, ‘pitching them aside like bales of hay’. Private Harry Jarman, a reinforcement from Western Australia, followed him into the German positions and swore he never fired a shot during the attack, such was the effectiveness of Kennedy’s assault. Later Corporal Kennedy was seen assisting his section’s Bren gunner, who was out of ammunition, fight off an attack from two sides. Once again he used his bayonet to great effect through the black cordite smoke. Both he and Corporal Albrecht were badly wounded during the fighting but refused to be evacuated until their men were securely dug in. Both would be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their actions during the assault.
An extensive list was published in the December ‘42 issue of the Chronicle of the cost of that fighting. It named two from Robert’s battalion either killed in action or who died of their wounds. They included SX10245 Cpt William R. Reid, St. Peters; SX11288 Pte Maurice H. Quinn, Cleve. Seriously Wounded. — SX7092 L-Cpl. R. F. Kennedy, Halbury; SX7538 Pte. Ernst M. C. Livingstone, Broken Hill. Robert had sustained a broken leg and bullet wounds to his right hand. Fortunately, in the subsequent issue both Robert and Ernst were declared ‘removed from all lists’. Robert was one of 26 from his battalion who were listed as being wounded in action. The 2/48th had paid a high price for their success.
By January ’43 news of the Distinguished Conduct Medal awards was made with, not unsurprisingly, the 2/48th Battalion being well recognised. They included SX7410 Sergeant Robert Frank Gordon Ranford, of Bartley terrace, Davington, SX7410 2/48th Corporal Kingsley George Albrecht, of Kingston-on-Murray, Corporal Robert Francis Kennedy, SX7092 of Halbury. Additionally, Private William Charles Dunn, of Ellen street, Prospect also from the 2/48th was awarded the Military Medal. The decorations were for gallantry in the attack made by the 9th Australian Division on Rommel's forces, which led to the defeat of the enemy in Egypt.
The News carried a profile of Robert stating ‘Corporal Robert Francis Kennedy, A.I.F., who has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, is a son of Mrs. and the late Mr. R. Kennedy, of Halbury. He is 21. Cpl. Kennedy left Australia in November 1940 and fought through the desert campaigns. He was wounded in November and is now in hospital recovering from a broken leg and bullet wounds in the right hand. Mrs. Kennedy received a message from her son a week ago, saying that he was recovering and was to be decorated. Before enlisting Cpl. Kennedy was a farmer.’
With peace declared, Robert returned to Australia. In 1936 he was chosen to be a member of the Australian contingent to take part in a Victory Parade in London. The Port Pirie Recorder in April observed that ‘South Australia's military representations in London celebrations the number of servicemen from this State selected for the Victory Parade in June seems meagre, although all chosen have proved themselves well worthy of the honor conferred upon them. One satisfactory feature of the South Australian men's unit of the contingent is that city and country are equally divided in respect, of numbers.’ In terms of Robert’s selection, a close family friend based in London commented ‘How proud he (father, George) would have been had he lived to hear of his son's selection as a representative of the State on such an historic occasion.”
Being a co-farmer with his younger brother, Brian, crops continued to grow and need attention whilst Robert was in England. The Balaklava Producer in July reported that ‘Wheat from Mr. R. F. Kennedy's stack is being moved to the flour mill at Balaklava. Mr. Kennedy is now on the way back to Australia on the "Shropshire", after taking, part in the recent victory celebrations in London, and in his absence his interests are being taken care of by his brother, Mr. Brian Kennedy. Sgt. Ron Kennedy, after a period of leave, has now been discharged from the A.I.F.’
Finally in September the community of Halbury were able to celebrate the return of their young men from the war. In total, 31 had enlisted and of those 5 had won decorations. Quite an exceptional record for a country town. A welcome home dinner and dance was arranged in the Halbury Hall. The local Producer reported that ‘one of the five (Cpl. R. F. Kennedy, D.C.M.) was a member of the Australian contingent which recently returned to these shores after participating in the Victory Celebrations in London. Few other districts, surely, can claim a similar proportion of decorations to enlistments. Other "gong merchants" were Lt. L. E. Forsyth, Military Cross, and Mr. J. Sullivan, Military Medal, of the A.I.F., and Messrs. W. M. Miller (Distinguished Flying Medal) and F. J. Nolan (Mentioned in Despatches) late of the R.A.A.F.’ The flags, table decorations and ‘sumptuous repast’ were reported in detail as was ‘the unusual addition, these days, of a plentiful supply of cigarettes to assist the speechmakers along.’ Numerous toasts followed before joyous dancing ensued, followed by the heartfelt Ode of Remembrance recitation, the traditional returned soldiers' "We will remember them". Each of the returned men were presented with a very fine set of gold cuff links, suitably inscribed with their own initials.
A year later on September 13th ’47 Robert married Joyce Yvonne (Vonnie) Nancarrow from Cheltenham in the Maughan Church, Adelaide. Robert’s sister Mary was the only bridesmaid. The following year, Robert’s youngest brother Ronald (Paddy) also married, choosing his older brother Brian (Jack) as his best man. Paddy had become an outstanding footballer and been selected to play for North Adelaide in League matches where he was recognised as one of the best full backs by coach Haydon Bunton. He was in the squad for selection in the Carnival Team that went to Tasmania as 19th man for the second eighteen, a fine effort after entering league football for the first season, especially given that he was unable to train with his fellow league players. He was later selected to play for S.A. against Victoria.
In news that devastated the family and community, in February ’49, 22-year-old Brian (Jack) was found dead overnight in his mother’s home. A heart attack was diagnosed. Brian had spent the previous day destroying rabbit warrens, a scourge affecting all farmers in the area. That season he had also been helping Robert wheat lumping, as one of the local Agents and was an active sportsman in the local football and sporting teams. The local community gathered round the family in their loss. Brian was buried in the Balaklava Cemetery with his father.
Aged 71, Robert died on the 20th October, ‘92. A plaque to his memory of Robert is in Centennial Park in the RSL Wall 126 Niche G008. His wife Joyce lived to be 86. Her cremated remains are also in Centennial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion