Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Kenney, a quarry worker, born 1856 in Cosby, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Kenney (nee Bingley, married in the 1st quarter of 1878 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1859 in Cosby, Leicestershire. Ernest was born in the 1st quarter of 1890 in Cosby, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Joseph, a shoe trade riveter, born in the 3rd quarter of 1878, Lucy Elizabeth, a shoe trade worker, born 1879, Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1881, Ada, a schoolgirl, born 1885 and James Albert, a schoolboy, born in the 2nd quarter of 1887, all his siblings were born in Cosby, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at South View, Cosby, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ernest was residing in the family home at New Grounds, Cosby, Leicestershire, together with his father a stone quarry worker, his mother and siblings, Joseph, a boot trade machine laster, Lucy, a shoe trade machinist, Mary, a shoe trade fitter, Ada, a hosiery trade winder, James, a shoe trade riveter, Walter, born 1892, Fred, born 1894 and Herbert, born 1901, the latter three siblings were all born in Cosby, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home in Cosby, Leicestershire, together with his father, a carpenter, his mother and siblings, Walter, a shoe trade press room sorter, Fred, a shoe trade heel builder and Herbert, a schoolboy. His elder brother’s Joseph, died of wounds received in action, and James Albert fell in action. Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War) on the 25th September 1915 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Cosby, Leicestershire, his age as 25 years and 325 days and his trade or calling as shoe hand. His medical examination recorded that he weighed 131 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches. His physical development was recorded as good and he was pronounced fit for Army service. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 22011 on the 25/9/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 30/3/16. Arrived at the Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples, France on the 31/3/16. Proceeded to join the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 12/5/16. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 13/5/16. Killed in action, in the field on the 28/9/16. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 27-29 Sept-16 - GUEUDECOURT. Battalion remained in same position. Nothing of importance occurred during this period. 48 casualties were sustained through shell fire.