Kennedy, R E (Ronald Edward)
Seaman Ronald Kennedy was the son of Sterling and Nellie Kennedy, of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He was born on the 28th of December 1920.
Ronald left his post at around 21:30 on the 6th of June 1944 and went ashore. He then walked into a laneway close by, a shot was soon heard ringing out from the area.
Seaman Kennedy had put his gun to his head and pulled the trigger. He did not die immediately but would pass away on the 7th at 07:25 in the morning. Nobody could find a reason for his actions as he appeared and was acting normal.
His ship H.M.C.S. Wetaskiwin[1] had only come into dock the day before after escorting convoy HX 191 across the Atlantic without loss from Newfoundland.
Not long after Ronald’s death, on the 31st of July, his ship was involved in the destruction of U-Boat U588[2] along with another Canadian ship, H.M.C.S. Skeena.[3]
Ronald was awarded the 1939-45 Star, War medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal, with clasp.
Date of Death: 07/06/1942 (Aged 21)
Service: Ordinary Seaman, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.C.S. Wetaskiwin.
Service Number: V/2704
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, R.C. Plot. Sec. M. Grave 5.
[1] HMCS Wetaskiwin was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy
[2] U-Boat U588 was launched during July 1941, 46 men lost their lives when it was sunk.
[3] HMCS Skeena was an A-class Destroyer and was launched during October 1930.