1914 Star. No clasp (10422 Pte. A. Kennedy, 2/Sco:Rif.)

Killed-in-Action: Private Arthur Kennedy 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) is confirmed 'Killed-in-Action' in France, 10 March 1915, during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Although the body of Private Arthur Kennedy was never recovered from the battlefield, his life and ultimate supreme sacrifice is commemorated in perpetuity on a memorial panel at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission 'Le Touret Memorial' located at Pas-de-Calais, France

Medals Verification: The recipient qualified and his next of kin were entitled to claim three x campaign medals in respect of his Great War service per the respective medal rolls of the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), as cited below:

- 1914 Star: WO 329/2449 (shows date of disembarkation in theatre of war 'France', on, 5 November 1914)
- British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/1120
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1120

Arthur Kennedy, is recorded variously as a native of Bothwell (ref 1911 National Census) or Newarthill (ref Soldiers Died) in Lanarkshire, Scotland, where he was born circa 1891. On 22 February, 1910, Arthur enlisted in the British Army, at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland (No. 10417 enlisted on 22/02/1910, & No. 10423 enlisted at Hamilton on, 21/02/1910, at which time he was allocated the regimental number No. 10422, and posted to the regimental depot of his local regiment, the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians). By the time of the 1911 National Census, Arthur is recorded serving with the 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles, then stationed at Meeanee Barracks, Colchester, England - and just prior to the battalion embarking for overseas service in Malta Colony. Arthur first entered theatre of war, France, with his battalion on, 5 November 1914. He was recorded as a casualty due to 'Boils' on, 21 December 1914, when he was admitted to the 4th Stationary Hospital in France, subsequently being transferred on, 29 December 1914, and admitted to the Duchess of Westminster's Hospital at Boulogne, France, on 30 December 1914. After recovering from his medical treatment he was returned to his unit on the Western Front, where at, the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, he was killed-in-action on 10 March 1915. Records held at The National Archives show that his brothers Francis and James Kennedy, together with a Mrs Katherine Kennedy were recipients of the effects of the fallen soldier

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle: Was fought between 10–13 March 1915, taking place in the Artois region of France. The attack was intended to cause a rupture in the German lines, which would then be exploited with a rush to the Aubers Ridge and possibly Lille. A French assault at Vimy Ridge on the Artois plateau was also planned to threaten the road, rail and canal junctions at La Bassée from the south as the British attacked from the north. The British attackers broke through German defences in a salient at the village of Neuve-Chapelle but the success could not be exploited

Important: For what is arguably the finest single battalion / battle study of any British infantry unit that fought with the British Expeditionary Force in France, 1915, refer to 'Morale: A Study Of Men And Courage; The Second Scottish Rifles At The Battle Of Neuve Chapelle, 1915' (John Christopher Malcolm Baynes, 1967)

A most desirable medal for the Battle of Neuve Chappelle

Condition: GVF

Code: 24521