Thomas Kennedy

2500 PTE Thomas Paul Kennedy was a 41 year old butcher from Melbourne when he enlisted in 1916. He was wounded in action while fighting in France with the 59th Battalion, AIF. He also spent a lot of time in hospital for various reasons. In 1918 he was diagnosed with Effort Syndrome also known as Da Costa's Syndrome. This syndrome would today be considered an anxiety disorder. Thomas was discharged as medically unfit in 1919.
Thomas was a bachelor and lived in the family home until 1949 when the electoral rolls show him in a War Veterans Hostel. In 1954 Thomas and his brother Charles (WWI NOK) were together in the Melbourne Aged home. Kennedy died in 1960 aged 84.
Charles was also a bachelor so I traced the family through their sister Margaret who married James Tyrell. This family is part of an Ancestry family tree and through the owner Robyn, I have now been in contact Sherie who is Thomas' great grand niece.
Thanks to Phil who sent me the medal and to Robyn for connecting me with Sherie.
The returned medal tally is now 1701