465066 Private Hector Miles Kennedy, (1913-26/9/1944). "the ancient Rubicon"

PRIVATE H. M. KENNEDY. 

Private Hector Miles Kennedy, whose death in action has been reported, was born at Ashburton, being the only son of Mr and Mrs T. J. Kennedy, of Gore and formerly of Ashburton. Private Kennedy was educated at the Ashburton High School and the Christchurch Boys' High School, passing the University Entrance examination at the age of 14 years. He also won several scholarships. In 1930 Private Kennedy joined the staff of the Gore courthouse, later being transferred to Invercargill. From his school days he was an active player of hockey and tennis, gaining representative honours in both. Private Kennedy served with the forces in New Zealand for a considerable time before leaving for overseas in July of last year. Private Kennedy’s next-of-kin is his wife, Mrs Myra Kennedy, of Invercargill. His sister, Miss Kathleen Kennedy, resides in Ashburton.  -Ashburton Guardian, 14/10/1944.

Hector Kennedy was killed during the following action in Italy:

"During the night A and B Coys were relieved, and early on the 26th Brig Parkinson ordered the battalion to move forward on the left of 25 Battalion and establish a bridgehead over the Uso, a narrow, meandering river with many U-shaped bends, reputed to be the ancient Rubicon. The 24th and 25th Battalions were already advancing towards the river and intended to establish bridgeheads. The 26th Battalion crossing was to be made at a point almost due west of Bordonchio, and as soon as sappers had completed crossings for the supporting arms it was planned to continue the advance to the next river barrier, the Fiumicino. This meant that after crossing the river the battalion would have to advance north-west with its left flank on the divisional boundary.

"Shortly after eleven o'clock Tac HQ moved forward to D Coy's area. Colonel Fountaine had decided to send C Coy forward to establish the bridgehead, and shortly before midday Maj Hobbs led his men past D Coy. About 1200 yards from the river the company moved into open formation and began to advance on a 600-yard front. Tanks accompanied the infantry. Apart from some spandau fire as they neared the river and mortaring as they crossed it, the forward platoons met no

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The Battalion's Flanking Role, 25 September

opposition. No. 13 Platoon on the left was heavily mortared as it forded the river and lost three men, two of whom were killed. It had already swung too far to the left and subsequently lost touch with the rest of the company. Meanwhile, B Coy was moving forward on the left flank, and by 5.30 p.m. Capt Kerr had two platoons over the river. The enemy chose this time to fire several heavy artillery concentrations in the vicinity of the crossing, and C Coy lost two more men."  -Official History of the 26th Battalion.