in answer to janicej0362
on 2013-01-05 20:41:46 Kenna Family Australia & NZ
... I am currently doing research for the local Historical Society and am trying to find out more about Timothy KENNA who enlisted WWI in NZ. Father: John Kenna Mother: Margaret.
Timothy had a brother John or Patrick who was a school-teacher at Cawdor near Camden NSW. A letter from Timothy appeared in the Camden News in 1916. It would appear that Timothy may have had a falling out with family members prior to WWI. I am trying to find out more on Timothy; Which brother was the schoolteacher at Cawdor? Mother's maiden name ? Date of death and location for Timothy ? Did he marry? I believe the family arrived 26 August 1880 "Peterborough" and that Timothy was born c.1879 Tipperary, Ireland.
Any assistance much appreciated

timeline for TIMOTHY KENNA
17 April 1880 - BIRTH
... Timothy Kenna was born in Ireland
- (Tipperary or Kilkenny to be researched)

14 July 1906 - IN MEMORIUM OF FATHER
... KENNA - In loving memory of my dear husband, John Kenna, who departed this life at Clifton, South Coast, on July 14 1905, aged 60 years. May his soul rest in peace. Inserted by his loving wife margaret Kenna
... KENNA - In loving memory of our dear father, John Kenna, who departed this life at Clifton, South Coast, on July 14, 1905, aged 60 years. May his soul rest in peace. Inserted by his loving sons Patrick and William Kenna
... KENNA - In loving memory of our dear father, John Kenna, who departed this life at Clifton on July 14, 1905. Inserted by his loving son-in-law and daughter Sarah
... KENNA - In loving memory of my dear father, John Kenna, who departed this life on July 14, 1905, at Clifton. Inserted by his loving daughter, Mary Bright
... KENNA - In loving memory of my dear father, John Kenna, who departed this life at Clifton on July 14, 1905. Inserted by his loving son, Timothy Kenna

18 July 1907 - IN MEMORIUM OF FATHER
... KENNA - In loving remembrance of my dear father John Kenna, who died at his residence, Clifton, South Coast, July 14, 1905. Inserted by his loving son John, New Zealand

19 Jan 1910 - BROTHER WILLIAM changes SCHOOLS
... Mr W. J. Kenna, assistant teacher at the Clifton Public School, has been notified of his transfer to the charge of the Public School at Burragorang, near the Oaks
in 1948 William was the Teachers' Federation representative in Chatswood
in 1954 William's younger son, Charles Kenna, married Gabrielle Gould at Star of the Sea Church, Watson's Bay. Charles was a Lecturer at the University of Technology & his bestman was John Cahill, son of the Premier of NSW, Joseph Cahill (1891-1959)

20 March 1911 - DEATH OF MOTHER
... KENNA - The friends of the late Mrs Margaret Kenna (late of Clifton) are kindly invited to attend her funeral; to leave the Mortuary Station, Sydney, by Funeral train 2.23 p.m. this day, Monday, for Rookwood cemetery - OSBORNE and SON, Funeral Furnishers, Wollongong
... KENNA - The friends of Messra John, Patrick, Thomas, Timothy and William Kenna are kindly requested to attend the Funeral of the late beloved mother, Margaret Kenna ...
... KENNA - The friends of Mrs C. W. Bright are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of her late affectionate mother, Margaret Kenna ...
... KENNA - The friends of Mr and Mrs S. C. Kattie are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their late mother and mother-in-law, Margaret Kenna...
... KENNA - The friends of Mr and Mrs Edward Bolton are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved mother and mother-in-law ... (who was this daughter?, Mary Kenna married Edward Bolton in Sydney in 1915 but daughter Mary Kenna married Charles Bright in 1896 - see 21 April 1931)

17 April 1915 - EMBARKING TO WAR
... Timothy Kenna served in WWI as:
Serial No: 12/2001
First Known Rank: Private
Next of Kin: Mrs Margaret Kenna (mother), Clifton, New South Wales, Australia
Marital Status: Single
Enlistment Address: c/o Mrs Payne, Hobson street, Auckland
Body on Embarkation: 4th Reinforcements
Embarkation Unit: Auckland Infantry Battalion
Embarkation Date: 17 April 1915
Place of Embarkation: Wellington
Destination: Suez, Egypt

16 Aug 1915 - SICK
... Following disembarked at Malta from Hospital Ship, Aug 5, Slightly Sick:
Auckland Battalion - & Private T. Kenna

15 Oct 1915 - WOUNDED or SICK
... The following have been admitted to Bethnal Green Hospital:- & Private T. Kenna

13 Jan 1916 - WOUNDED or SICK
... The following are on furlough in London:
Auckland Battalion - & Private T. Kenna

Thursday 20 Jan 1916 - LETTER HOME TO HIS BROTHER
- thank you to janice for supplying it via the Camden News
FROM THE FRONT, In the course of a letter written to his brother, Mr. Kenna of Cawdor School (William Joseph Kenna), Pte. T. Kenna of New Zealand Forces, writes as follows: -
"After long years of silence I sent you that postcard, prompted to do so by the fact that when I wrote I was in the trenches at Quinn?s Post (Gallipoli), only 14 yards at its narrowest part from the Turks, and in the midst of slaughter, not knowing when a bullet or shell would quieten me forever. Then thoughts of my own folk came to me and I screwed up the moral courage to drop you a few lines, intending to later on write you a fuller letter. But that night we, the ?? made an advance and I was worn out from fighting, hunger and thirst, and if I had the paper I could not have written, as I assure you things were far more terrible than I can describe, and it took us all our time to dig ourselves into the ground for cover. I was awfully bad with dysentery and as soon as we were firmly entrenched I went to the doctor (Major Craig) and they took me out of the firing line and at once put me on a hospital ship and sent me to Malta, about five days sail. They nursed me like a child both on the ship and in hospital, and I was soon fit and returned to the Dardanelles. However soon had the ill-luck to have a shell explode very close to me, killing several of my chums and wounding more, and burying me up to the chest in earth. The concussion, which was of course intense, paralysed the left side of my face, also paralysed the muscles of my left eyelid, so that I cannot open the eye at all except to lift the lid with my fingers. In addition to that I got enteric fever. I was placed on hospital ship the ?Dover Castle? and brought to England. I am now at Royal Infirmary, Manchester, quite recovered from fever, and am now undergoing treatment and massage. They are putting strong batteries on to me to try and put my eye right, and at the same time let me smile on both sides of my face (I can only smile on the right side, when I am inclined to smile). I think my face is getting right for I can feel a little life in it but I can't yet open my eye only with my fingers. The chief surgeon says, however that if it is not alright in a week, he will operate and is confident that I will be OK. He is said to be the finest ophthalmic surgeon in England. I will cable you the result. I must caution you not to take too seriously what news you see in the papers, etc., with regard to men killed, wounded, etc. As a matter, of fact things get fearfully mixed, and after an engagement a man very often gets mixed up with another battalion or with the Australians, and cannot get back to his own lot. When the roll is called by the platoon commander and you do not answer be puts you down as missing. The news of casualties is then sent by field phone to the beach, and from there to Alexandra by transports or otherwise and is then cabled to N. Zealand or Australia before a chance is given to correct the error and of course it may be a week or more before one can get back to his own lot. I am telling you this for the simple reason that I accidentally picked up a paper here the other day, "The British Australasian" which gives all information concerning Colonial troops, and in it my name appears as ?wounded and missing." As a matter of fact, I had been carried away by Australian stretcher bearers to the hospital ship I also saw an old "Auckland Weekly," about three months old in which two brothers in my platoon were posted, as killed, also it gave their photos, and both chaps are very much alive here in this hospital. So don?t worry about me, I feel in my fingers that I am going to see it through. If I can?t write I will get a nurse to write you, and if I go under I guess the authorities will cable you, but as I have said I feel I will see you all again. I don?t suppose I will see the Dardanelles again till the New Year. I will feel pretty miserable when I do get back for nearly all my companions have been killed. My very best pal in New Zealand, the chap with whom I enlisted, was wounded the same day as I, and though he had no less than eight machine gun bullets in him he has only just died. Poor chap, he was the bravest of the brave ? an Irish Colonial, and the best of chums to me at all times. The people here are kindness itself to us. When the weather is good, and the doctor allows it, they take me out for motor drives for miles and miles and I thoroughly enjoy it. I could fill a newspaper with accounts of the kindness I have received at the hands of the English people, who I shall never forget. I shall give you lots of news when I write again. I am not too strong yet and it takes a lot out of one to do this much.?

22 Dec 1917 - WOUNDED
... Admitted to Hospital - Lance-Sergeant T. Kenna

1 Jan 1918 - NEW YEAR MILITARY HONOURS
... The Prime Minister, Right Hon W. F. Massey, has received from the High Commissioner a cable message announcing that New Year honours have been conferred upon members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces as follows:
Meritorious Service Medal - 12/2001 Timothy Kenna

8 Feb 1918 - WAR HONOURS
... The following is the official "identity list" of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who participated in the Royal honours at the beginning of the year. The list previously published contained the names of the recipients only:-
Lance-Sergeant Timothy Kenna, M.S.M. Next of kin, Mr W. J. Kenna, Camden, New South Wales

8 March 1918 - FROM LONDON
- (actual Citation was 2 December 1917 in France)
... the Distinguished Conduct Medal has been awarded to the following New Zealanders:-
& 12/2001 C.S.M. T. Kenna, Engineers, for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Though the enemy was shelling heavily with gas and H.E. (High Explosive) Shells, he volunteered to get forward a light railway train of ammunition to a battery which was in urgent meed of it. The train was derailed several times, but he made two journeys to the battery with ammunition, though he was suffering from the effects of gas. It was solely owing to his personal example that the work was accomplished"

13 April 1918 - DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
... 12/2001 - Company-Sergeant-Major, T. Kenna,
- (Mr W. J. Kenna, Camden, N.S.W.)

18 June 1918 - BROTHER PATRICK HEARS THE NEWS
... Mr P. Kenna of Clifton, has been informed that his brother, T. Kenna, has been awarded the D.C.M. and the Meritorious Service Medal. He has been in a hospital suffering fron the effect of gas. He joined the forces in New Zealand and the High Commissioner of New Zealand has sent him a congratulatory message

29 Aug 1923 - 'DUD' TOTE TICKET
... A totalisator ticket that was not the real thing was the principal exhibit in a case wherin Timothy Kenna, a man with two service decorations, had to explain to Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M. at the Auckland Police Court to-day why he had presented it at the last Winter Meeting when it had been issued at the Easter Meeting. The evidence showed that Kenna had presented the ticket at a pay-out window after the last race. The assistance manager was called to the window and payment of the £13 6s 6d dividend was refused (this is a Aug 2012 equivalent of $1275).
Detective Robinson deposed that accused had been with a woman, and in her presence he had informed witness that they had agreed to pool the winnings, she having given him 10/ to put on 'Cool Stimulants', the understanding being that he would put 10/ on another horse.
Mr Inder, who represented accused, urged that the ticket presented might have been issued by a totalisator clerk. Kenna really believed he had been issued with the ticket and had persisted in presenting it at various windows.
In rebuttal, the assistant manager of the tote house gave evidence as to the system of tickets in use. Immediately the stop-bell rang, every roll of paper was removed and locked in a strongroom. That paper was never used again, and the code was changed for the next set of tickets. The tote clerks were well-known local men, who could not afford to turn criminal for 10/. One dishonest act and they would never be trusted again.
"I think he was trying a little dodge" said the magistrate. "It is a question of believing his story or believing that two tote employees deliberately cheated him with an old ticket. It would be like doubting a bank teller's integrity. Kenna was muddled - thought he was a bit smart no doubt" His character had been good and it was a case for a fine. He would be mulcted in the sum of £3 with witnesses' expenses £1

14 Jan 1924 - THE OLD TALE
... "I was suffering from dysentery, and I think I must have took too much brandy and port wine" said Timothy Kenna, 43 (birth year approx 1880), when charged with drunkenness in the Auckland Court.
"Yes, I believe I have heard that tale before" said Mr Poynton. "I see you have four previous convictions for drunkenness"
"I know, and I am sorry sir, if you give me another chance I will take out a prohibition order straight away."
"No, you got seven days last time. Fourteen days"

2 February 1924 - AUCKLAND POLICE COURT
... Timothy Kenna, aged 44 (birth year of 1879), a statutory fifth offender, was fined 40/-, in default 14 days, for drunkenness

2 November 1924 - GISBORNE COURT
... Timothy Kenna was before the court to-day, charged with trespassing on the Avondale, Auckland racecourse while a meeting was in progress. Accused said he did not know he was prohibited from attending races. He was the holder of the D.C.M. and Meritorious Service medals. Accused was convicted and discharged

30 September 1924 - PASSENGER INWARDS
... The Makura, which arrived at Wellington this morning after an uneventful voyage from Sydney, brought the following:
Second Class Passengers: - & Mr T. Kenna

26 June 1928 - DEATH of BROTHER PATRICK
... KENNA, June 24 1928 at Sydney, Patrick Kenna, formerly of Wollongong, aged 57 years. Requiescat in pace
... KENNA, The relatives and friends of Mr and Mrs T. Kenna, Mr and Mrs W. J. Kenna and family, Mrs M. Bright and mr and Mrs S. C. Kattie and family are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their late dearly-beloved brother and uncle, Patrick Kenna; to leave W. N. Bull's funeral parlour, King-street, Newtown, this (Tuesday)
afternoon at 2 o'clock for Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood by road, motor funeral
... KENNA, The relatvies and friends of Mrs M. Bolton and son John, are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their late dearly beloved nephew and cousin, Patrick kenna ...

21 April 1931 - DEATH of Mary Bolton??
... BOLTON, The relatives and friends of Mr and Mrs JOHN Bolton, 59 maccauley-road, Stanmore, are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their dearly beloved mother, Mary to leave her late residence 51 Percival-street, Leichhardt, this (Tuesday) afternnon, at 2 o'clock for Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood by road
... BOLTON, The relatives and friends of Mr and Mrs Thomas Kenna and family, Mr and Mrs William Kenna and family, Mr T. Kenna, Mr J. Kenna, Mr and Mrs C. Bright and family, Mr and Mrs S. Kattie and family, Mrs A. Kenna and son Patrick (& others) are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their late dearly veloved AUNT, Mary Bolton ??
NOTE at 20 March 1911, at the death of their mother Margaret, the following insertion was in the newspaper "KENNA - The friends of Mr and Mrs EDWARD Bolton are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved mother and mother-in-law" ??

25 Oct 1932 - WELLINGTON COURT
... Timothy Kenna, a labourer, aged 48 (sic), who did not appear, was fined £1 for casting offensive matter in Lambton Quay. On a further charge of drunkenness he was fined 10s

29 November 1934 - DEPARTING FOR SYDNEY
... Scheduled to sail at 3 p.m. for Sydney, the Monowai is taking the following passengers: CABIN CLASS: - & Mr T. Kenna

12 June 1939 - FUNERAL of BROTHER-IN-LAW
... KATTIE, Requiem mass for the repose of the soul of the late Mr Sydney Charles Kattie, of Kenilworth Flats, 182 Parramatta Road, Ashfield, will be celebrated at St Vincent's Church, Ashfield
... KATTIE, The relatives and friends of Mrs Sarah Elizabeth Kattie of Kenilworth Flats, 182 Parramatta Road, Ashfield, Mr and Mrs R. C. Kattie and family of Toomwoomba, Queensland and of Miss Doris Kattie are informed that the funeral of her late beloved husband and dear father and grandfather, Mr Sydney Charles Kattie, will leave St Vincent's Church, Ashfield, this Monday morning at 9.45 o'clock for Catholice Cemetery, Rookwood Mortuary
... KATTIE, The relatives and friends of Mrs M. Bright, Mr and Mrs T. Kenna, Mr W. J. Kenna and family are informed that the Funeral of their late beloved brother-in-law and uncle, Mr Sydney Charles Kattie ...

22 Dec 1943 - DEATH of BROTHER JOHN
... KENNA, December 22, at Wanganui, N.Z., John, eldest son of the late John and Margaret Kenna, of Pyrmont and Clifton, and brother of the late Patrick and of Thomas, Mary (Mrs Bright), Sarah (Mrs Kattie), Tim and Will

28 Jan 1948 - DEATH of SISTER-IN-LAW
... KENNA, Eleana Theresa - January 26 1948, beloved wife of Thomas Kenna of Gwynne street, Wollongong, and dear sister of Margaret Briscoe of Chatswood, sister-in-law of Will, Tim, Mary (Mrs Bright of Chatswood) and Sarah (Mrs Kattie of Byron Bay) aged 77

11 July 1951 - DEATH of BROTHER THOMAS
... KENNA, Thomas - July 11 1951 of 21 Gwynne street, Wollongong, beloved brother of Mary, Sarah, Timothy and William, aged 77 years. Requiscat in pace

29 Nov 1954 - DEATH of TIMOTHY
Timothy Kenna died in New Zealand on 29 November 1954 aged 74
- he was recorded as a Pensioner and was buried Plot 15 G/4, SOLDIERS Section at Karori cemetery, Wellington
- Timothy is the only Kenna buried at Karori

NOTES
TIMOTHY KENNA Company Sergeant Major, Railway Operating Section, NZ Engineers MILITARY AWARDS
? Distinguished Conduct Medal
? 1914-15 Star
? British War Medal
? Victory Medal
? Meritorious Service Medal

the 'Peterborough' left London, with 395 assisted immigrants, on 2 June 1880, arriving in Sydney 28 August 1880.
Timothy's family on board (birth years are tentative at this time)
father, John Kenna aged 35 (1845-1905 at Clifton)
mother, Margaret Kenna aged 36 (1844-1911)
brother, John Kenna aged 10 (1869-1943 at Wanganui)
brother, Patrick Kenna, aged 9 (born 1871-1928 at Sydney)
- did Patrick die in Drummoyne in 1928??
brother, Thomas Kenna aged 7 (1873-1951 at Wollongong)
- Thomas married Eleana/Helena Theresa BRISCOE (1871-1948) in 1903
- Eleana died 26 January 1948 Gynne stret, Wollongong
sister, Mary Kenna aged 6 (born 1874)
- Mary married Charles W. BRIGHT in 1896
- mary married Edward BOLTON in 1915
sister, Sarah Elizabeth Kenna aged 5 (born 1875)
- Sarah married Sydney Charles KATTIE (?-1939) in 1898 in Sydney
- Sydney died 10 June 1939 at 182 Parramatta Road, Ashfield
Timothy Kenna aged 1 (actual age 4 months, 1880-1954 at Wellington)
William Joseph 'Will' Kenna was born in Australia (1885-1973 at Chatwood)
- William married Elizabeth May PORTER (1883-1937) in 1912 in Waverley & had 3 children
- Elizabeth died 218 Pennant Hills road, Thornleigh
- William died 15 Arpil 1973 at Chatswood

Timothy's brother, John Kenna, (a Plumber by trade), also served from New Zealand in WWI. He was Sapper 17520 with the New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company, 3rd Reinforcements. He embarked from Wellington 15 November 1916 on the HMNZT 69, the 'Tahiti', destination Devonport, England. His next of kin was his brother Patrick Kenna at Clinton, New South Wales, Australia.
The Tahiti left port 15 Nov 1916, called in at Cape of Good Hope and arrived at Devonport, England 29 Jan 1917. It carried the Units of the 19th Reinforcements N.Z.E.F. (Roll No. 45), the 10th Reinforcements Maori Contingent and John's Unit, the 3rd Reinforcements NZ Engineers Tunnelling Company (Embarkation of 2 ships totalled 2036 men)

LOOKING FOR TIMOTHY's "very best pal in New Zealand, the chap with whom I enlisted, was wounded the same day as I, and though he had no less than eight machine gun bullets in him he has only just died"
POSSIBILITES:
John Gregory
serial number 12/1964 (same day enlistment)
same unit, same embarkation date
same destination
died at Gallipoli
SAME ENLISTMENT ADDRESS - c/o Mrs Payne, Hobson street
... however, killed in action? although photo says missing in action

* c/o Mrs Payne, Hobson street:
Mrs Elizabeth Annie Payne (nee Tregoning 1870-1941) & husband Henry Payne (1870-1919) lived at 126 Hobson street Auckland

see also Camden History


PHOTO
Timothy's plaque at Karori, Wellington