Kenneth Michael Inglis
Private Kenneth Michael Inglis (1923 – 17 March 1943) was a British Army soldier born in Surrey, United Kingdom. During World War II, Inglis fought in the Tunisian campaign in North Africa as part of the Eighth Army. Two months (88 days) before the allied victory in Tunisia, Kenneth was killed in action aged 20 years old.
Kenneth Michael Inglis | |
|---|---|
 Private Kenneth Michael Inglis wearing his Black Watch, Royal Highlanders uniform | |
| Born | 1923 Surrey, United Kingdom |
| Died | 17 March 1943 (aged 19–20) Near Mareth, Tunisia |
| Buried | Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1943 † |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | 2766032 |
| Unit |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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Early life
Kenneth Michael Inglis was born in Surrey, England. Soon after he was born Kenneth relocated to Lewes, Sussex where his family lived. Kenneth lived in a household of five which included his father James Michael Inglis, his mother Kathleen Grace Hayler, his sister Mary Inglis and two brothers, Leslie James Inglis and Phillip Gilbert Inglis.[1]
Service in World War II
Military service details
Kenneth Inglis was an infantryman who held the rank of Private. Inglis served in the British Army's Regiment of the 1st Battalion, Black Watch, Royal Highlanders based in Scotland.[2]
Due to Inglis being in the Royal Highlanders Regiment, the designated term 'Hldr' (short for Highlander) would be used in front of his name (e.g. Hldr Kenneth Michael Inglis). This denotes his regiment and rank. The term 'Hldr' holds the same rank as Private.[3]
Tunisian campaign
During the Second World War, Inglis fought in North Africa as part of the Tunisian campaign with Allied forces. Due to Inglis being in the 1st Battalion, Black Watch he was part of the Eighth Army and saw combat in many of the major battles which would lead to the British victory.
Battle of the Mareth Line
The Eighth Army faced combat during the Battle of the Mareth Line. Mareth Line was the Eighth Army's last major setpiece battle in North Africa. The allied operation was under the command of renown General Bernard Montgomery.
Just 2 years into his service with the British Army, Inglis was killed in action during the Battle of the Mareth Line. Inglis was killed on the second day, during the battle. Kenneth was 20 years old when he died in combat.[4]
Memorial
Kenneth Inglis is commemorated in Tunisia, North Africa at the Sfax War Cemetery,[5] managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.[6]
Inglis's Memorial includes a personal inscription with the words "Love's Last Gift, Remembrance".
Honours and awards
| Medal ribbon | Medal | issued |
|---|---|---|
 |
1939–45 Star | (posthumous) |
 |
Africa Star | (posthumous) |
 |
War Medal 1939–1945 | (posthumous) |
Record Set (honours)
- World War II Allies Collection, Great Britain.
- World War II Allies Collection, Tunisia.
- Army Roll of Honour (1939–1945), Great Britain.
- 1st Battalion Black Watch Roll of Honour.[7]
- Scotish National War Memorial Roll of Honour[8]
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour, Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia.
References
- CWGC. "Private Kenneth Michael Inglis | War Casualty Details 2182945". CWGC. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- CWGC. "Search Results". CWGC. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- "Web: Scotland, National War Memorial Index, 1914–1945 – Ancestry.co.uk". www.ancestry.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- "1ST BATTALION BLACK WATCH ROLL OF HONOUR". www.blackwatch.50megs.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- CWGC. "Sfax War Cemetery | Cemetery Details". CWGC. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- CWGC. "Private Kenneth Michael Inglis | War Casualty Details 2182945". CWGC. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- "1ST BATTALION BLACK WATCH ROLL OF HONOUR". www.blackwatch.50megs.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- "Roll Search | View details". Scottish National War Memorial. Retrieved 27 July 2023.