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Picture courtesy of Spink

IGS 1854 (1) Burma 1887-89 ([...]494 Boy J. Kennelly. 2nd Bt [...]);
Queen's Sudan (287[...] Sgt. J. Kennerly 2/Lanc. [...]), note misspelled surname;
QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek ([...]874 Sgt. J. Kennerly, Lanc. Fus:), note misspelled surname;
KSA (2) (Band. Serjt: J. Kennelly. Lanc: Fus:);
1914-15 Star (6516 S. Mjr: J. G. Kennelly. Manch:R.);
British War and Victory Medals (6516 W.O. Cl. 2. J. G. Kennelly. Manch.R.);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2874 Sjt:Dmr: J. G. Kennelly. Lanc:Fus.);
Khedive's Sudan (1) Khartoum (Band Sergt. J. Kennerly), note misspelled surname

John George Kennelly was born at Folkestone, Kent in 1872 and attested as a Boy in 188, with the Cheshire Regiment, joining them Burma in November 1887 with the number 2494. Reaching his majority on 18 August 1890 he was posted to the Lancashire Fusiliers as a Private with the new number 2874. He served with them as a Lance Corporal before being appointed Band Corporal on 13 July 1897.

Promoted Sergeant in April 1898 and appointed Band Sergeant on the same day, Kennelly saw service in Sudan during the British expedition under General Kitchener. They were in on the action during the bloody Battle of Omdurman which finally saw the Mahdist state defeated, and Khartoum retaken.

The Regiment was posted to Crete as part of the multinational occupation after their time in the Sudan, before being posted to South Africa on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. There they were heavily engaged during the forcing of the Tugela River and later at Vaal Krantz before they were split apart to serve in different columns during the war. Returning to Britain after the war Kennelly continued to serve until 25 September 1911.

Re-attesting with the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 11 September 1914 Kennelly was appointed Company Sergeant Major the same day. Posted to the 20th Battalion (5th City) on 15 May 1915 he was promoted Regimental Sergeant-Major and entered the war with them on 9 November 1915.

He served with the Regiment for the duration of the war, being present with them on the Somme, notably during the Battalion's famous capture of Ginchy in early September. Their losses were so severe during the offensive that by the end of the Battle of Ginchy they had only 130 of the original 'Pals Battalion' remaining, including Kennelly.

Returning to Britain with the end of the war Kennelly was demobilised on 5 December 1919 after over twenty-five years as a soldier