12/10/2026
🇮🇪🇬🇧THE FIGHTING BRIRISH
A very Irish connection to “Monty” in the Western Desert
This remarkable photograph, taken on 6 November 1942, shows Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery sharing a cup of tea with the small Tank Protection Troop assigned to his personal Grant tank, just days after the victory at El Alamein.
From left are Trooper Keenan, Dubliner Sergeant Stephen Kennedy, Corporal James Fraser, Lieutenant Malden — and Monty himself of course.
There is a particularly interesting Irish thread to the photograph.
Montgomery himself had deep Irish roots. Although born in Kennington, London, in 1887, his family came from Inishowen, Co. Donegal. His grandfather, Sir Robert Montgomery, was a native of Donegal, and the Montgomery family estate, New Park, was at Moville. His father, Bishop Henry Montgomery, was born into that Donegal family.
And standing beside him here are Keenan, Kennedy and Fraser — names with unmistakably strong Irish and Scottish-Irish associations.
In particular, Sergeant Stephen Kennedy was one of the men who actually drove and protected Montgomery’s Grant and later recalled accompanying the General on his forward visits to Corps Headquarters, often within range of the enemy.
Kennedy had joined the army in 1936 and had a remarkable career. In 1999 he was interviewed in depth by the Imperial War Museum- these are available to listen to here https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80018879.
One island, many stories — and sometimes they turn up in the most unexpected places. 🇮🇪🇬🇧
Left to right: Trooper Keenan, Sergeant Stephen Kennedy, Corporal James Fraser, Lieutenant Malden and General Montgomery.
© IWM E 19096)
(Colorised by Irootoko jnr)
