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William David Kenny

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William David Kenny Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland
Death
2 Jan 1920 (aged 20)
Hammersmith, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Greater London, England
Burial
Jandola, Tank District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Waziristan Campaign Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a lieutenant in the 39th Garwhal Rifles, Indian Army. While in command at Kot Kai, Waziristan, his unit was repeatedly attacked by the Mahsuds in greatly superior numbers. For over four hours, he maintained his position in hand-to-hand fighting, engaging the enemy with bomb and bayonet. He saved the situation and kept intact the right flank, on which depended on the success of the operation and the safety of the troops in rear. In the subsequent withdrawal of the company, which was impeded by their wounded, with a handful of his men he turned back and counter-attacked the pursuing enemy with the rest of his party and himself killed fighting to the last. For this very gallant act of self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in September 1920.
Waziristan Campaign Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a lieutenant in the 39th Garwhal Rifles, Indian Army. While in command at Kot Kai, Waziristan, his unit was repeatedly attacked by the Mahsuds in greatly superior numbers. For over four hours, he maintained his position in hand-to-hand fighting, engaging the enemy with bomb and bayonet. He saved the situation and kept intact the right flank, on which depended on the success of the operation and the safety of the troops in rear. In the subsequent withdrawal of the company, which was impeded by their wounded, with a handful of his men he turned back and counter-attacked the pursuing enemy with the rest of his party and himself killed fighting to the last. For this very gallant act of self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in September 1920.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: The Silent Forgotten
  • Added: Oct 18, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7996517/william_david-kenny: accessed ), memorial page for William David Kenny (1 Feb 1899–2 Jan 1920), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7996517, citing Jandola Cemetery, Jandola, Tank District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Maintained by Find a Grave.