Service number | 4195 |
---|---|
Birth Date | 1896-09-29 |
Birth Place | Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Paddington |
Death Date | 1953-04-15 |
Death Place | Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Concord |
Final Rank | Private |
Service | Australian Imperial Force |
Unit | 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion |
Places | |
Conflict/Operation | First World War, 1914-1918 |
Gazettes |
Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963 Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-08 Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04 |
Private Thomas James Bede Kenny
Bede Kenny (1896-1953) was born at Paddington, Sydney, and enlisted in August 1915, before his 19th birthday. A tall and powerful man, he became a well known member of his battalion and, later, a familiar figure at Sydney's ANZAC Day ceremonies.
At Hermies, Kenny's platoon had to dig in on the edge of the village and engage any enemy attempting to leave. Several men were pinned down by heavy enemy fire before Kenny leapt up and rushed a post, throwing bombs as he ran. Although the first two missed, Kenny's third bomb landed in the middle of the Germans, killing some, while the rest became prisoners. His action made a significant contribution to the capture of the village.
Not long afterwards Kenny was evacuated to Britain with trench foot, and did not rejoin his battalion until May 1918. He received a light wound the following month. Kenny came home on HMAT Medic with other Victoria Cross recipients to a hero's welcome. In later years he was a traveller for a wine company.
Rolls
-
First World War Embarkation Roll:
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Unit
- 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards:
- Unit
- 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
- London Gazette
- 08 June 1917 on page 5705 at position 2
- Commonwealth Gazette
- 04 October 1917 on page 2628 at position 2
Timeline
Date of birth | 29 September 1896 | |
---|---|---|
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) | 14 September 1915 | Posted as a reinforcement to 2 Battalion. |
Date of embarkation | 20 December 1915 | |
Date of honour or award | 09 April 1917 | Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Hermies, France whilst serving with 2 Battalion, 1 Brigade, 1 Division as a Private |
Date promoted | 09 April 1917 | Appointed Lance Corporal. |
Date of recommendation honour or award | 12 April 1917 | |
Date promoted | 01 August 1918 | Appointed Corporal. |
Date wounded | 26 August 1918 | Wounded during fighting in the Merris sector near the town of Mereten. |
Date returned to Australia | 1918-10 | |
Date of discharge | 12 December 1918 | |
Date of death | 15 April 1953 |
Related information
Conflicts
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Objects
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