John Kennedy (British Army officer, born 1878)

This article is about the British Army officer that served in the First World War. For the officer that served in the Second World War, see John Kennedy (British Army officer, born 1893).

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.

Sir John Kennedy GBE, CB, CMG, DSO & Bar
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	1st Division 44th (Home Counties) Division 19th Indian Infantry Brigade 2nd Battalion Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) 26th Brigade 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
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 & Bar Mentioned in Despatches Officer of the Order of the Nile (Egypt)

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 succeeded Archibald Ritchie, was promoted to temporary brigadier general, and was assigned to command the 26th (Highland) Brigade in December 1916. 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, and was appointed General Officer Commanding 44th (Home Counties) Division in January 1933 and General Officer Commanding the 1st Division in April 1934 before retiring in 1937.