Nick Thornicroft Posted 9 September , 2005 Share Posted 9 September , 2005 Does anyone know the circumstances behind the death in action of Kennard - the CO of the 2nd Bradford Pals - on July 1st? The Pals were in support of the 15th & 16th West Yorks, just to the south of Serre. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 9 September , 2005 Share Posted 9 September , 2005 From this very web site: 8.20am: message received from Brigade to the effect that the 16th West Yorks [1st Bradford Pals] were held up [with terrible casualties], and ordering the CO to go to Sap A to investigate. Lt-Col Kennard accordingly went forward, and was killed about 8.30am by artillery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Thornicroft Posted 9 September , 2005 Author Share Posted 9 September , 2005 Bill Many thanks for that. Dozy me - should have realised this website would have had the answer! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spud Trevor Posted 9 September , 2005 Share Posted 9 September , 2005 Nick, From the Bradford Pals book. Less than a hundred yards in front of Dunmow trench they came under a heavy cross fire from machine guns firing from their right, probably from the Quadrilateral Redoubt and south of the Serre Road. Almost everyone dropped flat on their stomachs to escape this murderous scythe, except their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel M.N. Kennard. Standing calm and erect amid the crack and whine of bullets and carrying only a walking stick he called out 'come on boys, up you get', turned and began to walk at an easy gait towards the enemy. The Battalion rose to their feet and followed him. As they came out of the dead ground in which their assembly trenches were dug they were additionally engaged by a rapid fire from the front. Casualties were heavy, particularly amongst the officers and including Lieutenant-Colonel Kennard, who was killed by a shell which burst close by him. Regards, Spud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Thornicroft Posted 10 September , 2005 Author Share Posted 10 September , 2005 Spud Many thanks for that. Kennard was a brave man, indeed. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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