William Kenny (VC) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Kenny
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| Born | 24 August 1880 Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland |
| Died | 10 January 1936 (aged 55) Hammersmith, England |
| Buried |
Brookwood Cemetery
(51°18′00″N 0°37′33″W / 51.300123°N 0.625926°W) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Drum-Major |
| Unit | The Gordon Highlanders |
| Battles/wars | |
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William Kenny (born August 24, 1880 – died January 10, 1936) was a very brave Irish soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest and most important award for bravery in the face of danger for British and Commonwealth soldiers. It's given to people who show amazing courage during wartime.
A Hero in World War I
William Kenny was 34 years old when he showed incredible bravery during the First World War. He was a Drummer in the 2nd Battalion of The Gordon Highlanders, a famous British Army regiment.
In October 1914, near a place called Ypres in Belgium, there was heavy fighting. Drummer Kenny risked his life many times. He rescued wounded soldiers on five different occasions while under very heavy enemy fire. This means bullets and shells were flying all around him!
He had also saved valuable machine-guns twice before by carrying them out of the battle zone. Plus, he often delivered important messages across dangerous areas where there was a lot of shooting. His actions helped his fellow soldiers and were truly heroic.
More Awards and Recognition
After his amazing bravery, William Kenny became a Drum-Major. This is a leader of the drummers and musicians in a military band.
Besides the Victoria Cross, he received several other medals for his service. These included the Queen's South Africa Medal and the King's South Africa Medal from earlier wars. He also earned medals for his service in World War I, like the 1914 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He even received the Cross of St George from Russia.
Sadly, the original marker for William Kenny's grave was lost after he was buried in 1936. But in 1999, a new headstone was placed at his grave in Brookwood Cemetery in England. This was arranged by The Gordon Highlanders London Association, making sure his bravery was remembered.
You can see William Kenny's Victoria Cross and his other medals on display. They are kept at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Images for kids
