Veteran of both World Wars: Caithness-born soldier's tragic twist of fate
Losing his wife just six days after childbirth, waving goodbye to an infant son to start his new life in America, serving in two world wars, and - by sheer twist of fate - missing the chance to reunite with his son by just minutes, before he was lost in action in the war.
This is the story of my great grandfather, David Kennedy.
David, who was born in 1898 in Canisbay, served with courage and bravery in both the First and Second World Wars.
In World War I, he served as part of a minesweeping crew, and later in the Royal Army Service Corps in World War II as a medic, enduring the horrors of Dunkirk.
Following WWI, and whilst living in Wick, David and his wife welcomed their son, John Kennedy, into the world. What was supposed to be the best time of his life turned out to be the worst.
Just six days later, David's wife Margaret died from sepsis. The new dad became a widower.
Unable to look after John himself, David's sister-in-law stepped in and later emigrated with John to America when he was just a toddler.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, some 20 years later, David was called up once again to serve in the British Army, as was John, who enlisted in the US Army Air Corps when the US joined the war.
Incredibly, and by sheer coincidence, John and David were stationed just miles from each other in Kent, England. Whilst stationed on British soil, John took the opportunity to track his father down – we believe they had lost contact with each other prior to this.
John arrived at the base and managed to locate his father’s colleagues, who told him that David had just popped out to the local village shop.
Unfortunately, John couldn't wait, as he was imminently being sent on a mission elsewhere.
They came heartbreakingly close, but fate had other plans. They missed each other by minutes.
We believe that John's plane was shot down.
He was posted missing in action, and the father and son never got to reunite.
After returning home from the war, David felt no desire to leave home again — home was the only place he ever wanted to be. Like so many others, he didn't talk much about his experiences at war.
In spite of these tragic events, David survived both wars, and lived until his 80s, settling in Inverness.
By now he was married to my great grandmother, Flora Chisholm. They had two sons together – Duncan and William Kennedy.
My great grandfather was known for his kind and courageous character. Even in the harshest moments of war, he held onto his rations of chocolate – not for himself, but to bring home to his sons.
I was born exactly 100 years after David and sadly never got the chance to meet him, but I am determined to keep his memory alive, for he is not just a black-and-white photograph, but a brave man with a remarkable story.
He fought so that we could have our tomorrow, along with the millions of other brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice.
