Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of William Nassau Kennedy – Studio photo from prior to his deployment to Sudan

William Kennedy - Mayor of Winnipeg – Photo of the Gallery of Mayors in City Hall. William Kennedy was born in Newcastle, Ontario, on April 28, 1839. He apprenticed to be a lawyer in his twenties but then decided to continue with the family business, which was painting houses and interior decorating. In February 1857 he enlisted as a private in the 1st Company of Peterborough Rifles. He took an active part in the military and it was to become a part of him for the remainder of his life. In 1865 he received a commission as an ensign and his company was sent to the Niagara Peninsula during the Fenian Raids. They served their for the better part of a year without seeing any action. Outside of the military, Kennedy served on Peterborough town council for six years and in 1867 he was made a captain in the newly formed 57th Peterborough Battalion of Infantry. In 1870, at the outbreak of the Riel Rebellion there was an opening for one officer from this battalion to go on the expedition to put down the rebellion. Kennedy was chosen and as a result he was sent to Fort Garry [Winnipeg] with the 1st Battalion of Ontario Rifles. After the rebellion was put down, Kennedy chose to stay in Winnipeg and he quickly became active in the life of the city. In 1873 he was the city clerk and in 1875 he was elected as the city's second mayor, replacing another Orangeman, Francis Evans Cornish. He served two one year terms and then went back to being the city clerk. On November 9, 1883, the 90th Winnipeg Rifles were formed and Kennedy was chosen as the first Commanding Officer. He took part in the expedition up the Nile River to rescue General Charles Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum. Kennedy was in charge of the Canadian boatmen who were taken over and used to get the supplies and boats over the many cataracts and rapids. On the return voyage home to Canada he contracted smallpox and died. He was buried in London's Highgate Cemetery in England.