ABLE SEAMAN ROBERT HENRY KENNEDY 2125 RAN
Robert Kennedy was born in October 1896 the son of Alexander and Johanna Kennedy in Williamstown Victoria. He enlisted in the RAN as a Boy 2nd Class in September 1912 to train on HMAS Tingira. He was rated to Boy 1st Class in June 1913 and posted to the Battle Cruiser HMAS Australia in October 1913. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class in November 1913 and to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday.
Robert Served on Australia for six years straight including the entire Great War, and when he did leave the ship, it was to serve on HMAS Brisbane for another nine months. He was rated Able Seaman in September 1915 and discharged to shore in October 1921. In his 110 months in the navy, including Tingira, 103 of them would be spent living onboard ship. This continuous period living at sea in arduous conditions clearly took a toll. In 1918 he spent two periods in cells, the first for seven days, the second for 14 Days. This was followed by a third stint of ten days in cells whilst serving at HMAS Cerberus in April 1921.
Post war Robert returned to Williamstown working as a labourer. He does not appear to have ever married and he passed away on or before 2 January 1951. He was buried in Williamstown Cemetery in Melbourne.
