Henry Edward Kenny
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.
Henry Edward Kenny | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 27 July 1888 Woolwich, London |
| Died | 6 May 1979 (aged 90) Chertsey, Surrey |
| Buried | St. Johns Cemetery, Woking |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Home Guard |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | _ribbon.png.webp){kind=small} Victoria Cross |
Details
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.
On 25 September 1915 near Loos, France, Private Kenny went out on six occasions under very heavy shell, rifle and machine-gun fire. Each time he carried into a place of safety a wounded man who had been lying in the open. He was himself wounded as he handed the last wounded soldier over the 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
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.[4]
Commemoration
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
- "VC paving stone honours First World War hero". Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "Highams Park War Memorial Project". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- "No. 29527". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 March 1916. p. 3410.
- "Lord Ashcroft VC Collection". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Woking Crematorium)
- Henry Edward Kenny at Find a Grave
- Highham Park War Memorial Project