Alexander Clark -
Kennedy served in the Grenadier Guards. He had attended Eton before embarking
on his Military career; he also served with the Irish Guards for a time. On his
death in 1894, he was described as 'The Patriotic Poet, Song Writer and
Naturalist'
His son William Hew
Clark-Kennedy commanded the 24th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), during
the First World War, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He won the Victoria
Cross for the following deed:
'On 27/28 August
1918, on the Fresnes-Rouvroy line, France, the brigade of which Lieutenant
Colonel Clark-Kennedy's battalion was a central unit suffered heavy casualties.
At this juncture, the Colonel encouraged his men and led them forward; then, by
controlling the direction of neighbouring units and collecting stragglers, he
enabled the whole brigade front to advance. The next day he was severely wounded,
but despite intense pain and loss of blood, he refused to be evacuated until he
had gained a position from which the advance could be resumed.
William Hew
Clark-Kennedy passed away in Montreal, Quebec, in 1962. The buttons were
recently uncovered in Montreal.
