William Kenny | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1880-08-24)24 August 1880 |
| Died | 10 January 1936(1936-01-10) (aged 55) Hammersmith, England |
| Buried | 51°18′00″N0°37′33″W / 51.300123°N 0.625926°W /51.300123; -0.625926 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Rank | Drum-Major |
| Unit | The Gordon Highlanders |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards |
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William KennyVC (24 August 1880 – 10 January 1936) was an Irish recipient of theVictoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded toBritish andCommonwealth forces.
Kenny was 34 years old, and aDrummer in the 2nd Battalion,The Gordon Highlanders,British Army during theFirst World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 October 1914 nearYpres,Belgium, Drummer Kenny rescued wounded men on five occasions under very heavy fire. Twice previously he had saved machine-guns by carrying them out of action, and on numerous occasions he conveyed urgent messages under very dangerous circumstances over fire-swept ground.[1]
In addition to the Victoria Cross, Kenny earned the rank ofDrum-Major and was also awarded the following medals:Queen's South Africa Medal with bars,King's South Africa Medal with bars,1914 Star with bar,British War Medal,Victory Medal with oak-leaf,Delhi Durbar Medal, and theCross of St George (Russia).
On 20 March 1999 the grave of William Kenny received a new headstone in theCorps of Commissionaires plot atBrookwood Cemetery, arranged by The Gordon Highlanders London Association (Lt Col. M.H. Burge). Kenny was buried in 1936 but the original marker was lost and until this stone was placed, Kenny was not otherwise commemorated.
His Victoria Cross and other medals are on displayed at theGordon Highlanders Museum,Aberdeen, Scotland.
