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Private Thomas James Bede KENNY VC |
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Thomas James Bede Kenny was born in 1896
at Paddington, NSW, and was training as a Chemist's assistant when the
First World War broke out.
He enlisted in the AIF in August 1915, and joined 2 Battalion in Egypt as a private in February 1916. Kenny became part of the bombing platoon, and fought on the Somme before the advance to the Hindenburg line in early 1917, during which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Immediately after this action, he was promoted to lance corporal, but was evacuated to England with trench foot shortly afterwards. Rejoining his unit in April 1918, Kenny was promoted to corporal, but was severely wounded in June at Merris, and repatriated to Australia, where he received a hero's welcome.
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| Post war, he was heavily involved in the activities of the 2nd Battalion Association, which looked after the welfare of former members of the unit. Bede Kenny died in April 1953. | |
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