Thomas Francis Archibald Kennedy was born on 12 Nov 1856, the son of Lord Gilbert Kennedy, and grandson of the Earl of Cassillis. His mother was Margaret Baird, daughter of Sir David Baird 2nd Bt. His name was legally changed to Watson-Kennedy after marrying the wealthy widow, Ethel Mary Watson in 1897.
Thomas Kennedy was commissioned into the 42nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) on 27 Jan 1875. He served with the 1st Battalion Black Watch in Egypt in 1882 as regimental Transport Officer. He was present at Tel-el-Kebir and served in the same capacity on the Sudan Expedition of 1884. He was at the battles of El Teb and Tamaii. In the Nile Expedition to rescue Gordon he was also with the Black Watch, taking part in the River Column under Major General Earle, and present at Kirbekan where he was severely wounded. He was promoted to captain on 20 Jan 1886, and transferred to the Cameron Highlanders to gain his majority on 22 Feb 1893. His service with the Camerons in the campaign to re-conquer the Sudan, including the battles the Atbara and Omdurman, brought him a brevet of lieutenant-colonel on 16 Nov 1898. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 21 May 1899 and led the 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the South African war from 1900 to March 1901.
He and his wife Ethel Mary lived at Wiveton Hall, Cley in Norfolk. which they purchased in 1903. There were no children. Colonel Watson-Kennedy died on 30 May 1935. The photo shows him in khaki uniform on the eve of the 1st Battalion’s service in South Africa. He wears boots and breeches as he was mounted while the rest of the officers, apart from the second-in-command and the adjutant, wore kilts.
