John Kennedy (British Army officer, born 1878)

Sir John Kennedy
Born 1878
Died 1948 (aged 69–70)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1898–1937
Rank Major-General
Unit Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Commands held 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
26th Brigade
2nd Battalion Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
19th Indian Infantry Brigade
44th (Home Counties) Division
1st Division
Battles/wars First World War
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Distinguished Service Order

Major-General Sir John Kennedy (1878–1948) was a senior British Army officer who served in the First World War and commanded the 1st Division.

Military career

Educated at Haileybury, Kennedy was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1898. He served with the Egyptian Army until the First World War when he fought on the Western Front; he became Commanding Officer of the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in 1916 and Commander of the 26th (Highland) Brigade in 1917. He was appointed Inspector of Infantry in 1918, Instructor at the Senior Officers School in 1919 and Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion The Buffs in 1923. He went on to lead the 19th Indian Infantry Brigade in 1926, General Officer Commanding 44th (Home Counties) Division in January 1933 and General Officer Commanding the 1st Division in April 1934 before retiring in 1937.