Cyril Kennedy

Cyril Frost Kennedy DSC (20 April 1915 – 12 January 1974)[1] was a Progressive Conservative party member of the House of Commons of Canada.

For the Australian politician, see Cyril Kennedy (Australian politician).

Cyril Frost Kennedy

DSC
Member of Parliament
for Colchester—Hants
In office
June 1957 – September 1967
Preceded byGordon Purdy
Succeeded byRobert Stanfield
Personal details
Born20 April 1915
Hilden, Nova Scotia
Died12 January 1974(1974-01-12) (aged 58)
Political partyProgressive Conservative
ProfessionBuilding contractor, businessman, lumberman
Military service
Allegiance Canada
Branch/serviceCanadian Army
Years of service1936–1945
Rank Major
UnitNorth Nova Scotia Highlanders
Battles/warsSecond World War

Early life

Kennedy was born in Hilden, Nova Scotia to Liberal-Conservative Nova Scotia MLA Robert H. Kennedy along with nine siblings.

He took up lumber work and carpentry working with the family sawmill until joining the Canadian Army.

Military life

Kennedy became a commissioned officer in 1936 as part of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He participated in the 1938 Army Operational Shooting Competition in England as part of the Canadian contingent. In 1940, he volunteered for overseas service and on June 6, 1944 fought at Juno Beach as Officer Commanding of his regiment's "D" Company. On June 7 he was engaged in fighting in Buron where elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division had attacked. Two other North Nova Scotia companies were encircled and surrendered (and some of the prisoners were executed during the Ardenne Abbey Massacre), but "D" Company dug in and after four hours of fighting were able to repulse the German advance with limited support. For gallantry during this action Kennedy received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Later on July 8 while fighting in the re-taking of Authie Kennedy received shrapnel from a Nebelwerfer rocket in his right arm, which required amputation. Despite this injury, after the war Kennedy resumed work as a carpenter.

Politics

He was first elected at the Colchester—Hants riding in the 1957 general election, then re-elected there in 1958, 1962, 1963 and 1965. On 17 September 1967, Kennedy left the House of Commons before the end of his term in the 27th Canadian Parliament and did not campaign for any further re-election. He resigned his seat for Robert Stanfield who had not secured a seat in 1965, the recently elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

Electoral record
1957 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
Progressive ConservativeCyril F. Kennedy15,231
LiberalGordon T. Purdy12,151
Co-operative CommonwealthRalph Loomer912
1958 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
Progressive ConservativeCyril F. Kennedy15,653
LiberalRobert Faulkner McLellan11,779
Co-operative CommonwealthRalph Loomer1,267
1962 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
Progressive ConservativeCyril F. Kennedy14,128
LiberalHector Hill13,836
New DemocraticLawrence C. Cameron1,207
UnknownK.Y. Parker411
1963 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
Progressive ConservativeCyril F. Kennedy14,387
LiberalHector Hill14,185
New DemocraticLaurence C. Cameron822
1965 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
Progressive ConservativeCyril F. Kennedy15,250
LiberalHector Hill12,962
New DemocraticGordon S. Schurman1,078
IndependentRobert Kirk299

References
  1. "PARLINFO - Parliamentarian File - Federal Experience - KENNEDY, Cyril Frost". parl.gc.ca. 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
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