Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Peter Kenny born 1894 at Hebburn was one of 10 children of whom only 7 survived, 4 sons and 3 daughters. His father Patrick Kenny was born at Galway, Ireland in 1872 and mother Mary Ann Hannelly native of Walker, Northumberland born 1871, were married in 1889 in the district of County Durham. Whilst living at Bewick Street, Hebburn, his father was employed as a labourer/plater at the ship yards, to supplement the family income they had taken in 3 boarders, John Conway, John King and Patrick Harrison, also platers. At the age of 16 Peter was an apprentice plater, the family was then living as 3, Lyons Street, Hebburn. Peter married Jane Duffy during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1915, in the district of Gateshead.
He enlisted, exact date unknown and was assigned as Private 24128 to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers battalion unknown, however first serving in theatre of war 2a, Greek Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and European Turkey, departing December 9th 1915. The regiment was withdrawn and transferred to France in the run up to the Battles of the Somme 1916. During his service in France he transferred to the 7th/8th Battalion, formed August 23rd 1917 when the two battalions amalgamated. During 1917 they were in action at the Third Battle of Ypres returning to the Somme in the spring of 1918 taking very heavy casualties and by April 22nd the battalion was reduced to cadre strength.
Private 24128 Peter Kenny Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was killed in action when the village of Templeux-le-Guerard, 26 kilometres east of Peronne, France was lost to the Germans, March 21st 1918, his body buried on the battlefield. After Armistice, he was exhumed and brought into Templeux-le-Guerard British Cemetery, Somme, France, where he was reburied with all honour and reverence, grave II. D. 22. At the time of his demise he was 24 years old.
His widow Jane received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Peter and Jane’s marriage was childless, she remarried in the district of Gateshead in 1919 to Anthony Summers. They moved that same year to Birmingham where their daughter Constance L. H. Summers was born.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Peter Kenny is remembered at Felling on F32.06 and at Heworth on H92.03
