Kermadec was born to the family of Anne François du Mesacm de Mescaradec and of
Jean Guillaume Huon de Kermadec. He was the brother of
Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, and nephew of
François Pierre Huon de Kermadec. Kermadec joined the Navy as a
Garde-Marine on 12 January 1766. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 13 March 1779. Serving on the
74-gun Annibal, in the division under
Suffren, Kermadec took part in the
Battle of Porto Praya. He was wounded by a bullet to the thigh, but refused to receive medical attention before the fighting was over. In February 1782, Kermadec transferred on the 40-gun frigate
Pourvoyeuse. Later, he was given command of the 24-gun corvette
Subtile and took part in the
Battle of Negapatam on 6 July 1782. == Sources and references ==