Jump to content

Henry Edward Kenny

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henry Edward Kenny
Born27 July 1888
Woolwich, London
Died6 May 1979 (aged 90)
Chertsey, Surrey
Buried
St. Johns Cemetery, Woking
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
RankSergeant
UnitLoyal North Lancashire Regiment
Home Guard
Battles / warsFirst World War
AwardsVictoria Cross

Henry Edward Kenny VC (Irish: Annraoi Éamonn Ó Cionnaith; 27 July 1888 – 6 May 1979), was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

[edit]

Born in Woolwich, London,[1] Kenny was 27 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment,[2] British Army during the First World War when the deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

For most conspicuous bravery. Private Kenny went out on six different occasions on one day under a very heavy shell, rifle and machine-gun fire, and each time succeeded in carrying to a place of safety a wounded man who had been lying in the open. He was himself wounded in the neck whilst handing the last man over his parapet.[3]

He later achieved the rank of sergeant and served with the Home Guard. He died on 6 May 1979 at the age of 90.

The Medal

[edit]

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.[4]

Commemoration

[edit]

On 25 September 2015, the centenary of his deed, a commemorative paving stone was unveiled in Maryon Park, Charlton, London, near his place of birth.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "VC paving stone honours First World War hero". Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Highams Park War Memorial Project". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  3. ^ "No. 29527". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 March 1916. p. 3410.
  4. ^ "Lord Ashcroft VC Collection". Retrieved 15 January 2013.

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]