James Kennedy was born in London on 24 July 1778. He was at first posted to the 1st Bengal Native Cavalry on 1 Nov 1798 but transferred as a lieutenant to the newly raised 5th BNC on 29 May 1800. He served in the 2nd Maharatta War and in Bundelkhand in 1804. In the 3rd Maharatta War he led a dismounted squadron at the storming and capture of Chanda, and in the various operations of Brigadier-General J W Adams’ force. He was promoted to captain on 16 Sep 1815 and was on active service in Kotah in 1821, and at Mangrol. He was a major on 1 Oct 1819 and in that rank was in command of the 5th BNC but promoted to Lt-Col on 13 May 1825. He was elevated to Colonel on 26 Dec 1832 and posted to the 7th BLC. He served on the Shekhawat Expedition in 1834 as commander of the cavalry. He transferred back to the 5th BLC on 20 Aug 1835 and commanded the Rajputana Field Force in Dec 1838 for which he received the CB, on 30 July 1838.
He was married to Anna Don in 1804 and they had a son and 6 daughters. Anna lived to the age of 96, died in 1884. James reached the rank of lieutenant-general on 11 Nov 1851 and was Colonel of the 5th Bengal European Light Cavalry in 1858. He died at Benares on 25 Sep 1859 after 60 years continuous service in India.
