Edward Kenna
Private, 2nd/4th Battalion. (New South Wales). Australian Military Forces
- Register No.
- 675 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd/4th Battalion. (New South Wales). Australian Military Forces (register: 2/4th Battalion, AIF) all 2/4th Battalion, AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 15 May 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 6th September, 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Born
- 6th July, 1919 at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- on Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Digest of citation
On 15th May 1945 near Wewak, New Guinea, when fire from a Japanese bunker held up the company's advance, Private Kenna stood up in full view of the enemy, who were less than 50 yards away, engaged the enemy bunker, firing his Bren gun from the hip. Retaliating, the enemy fired back, the bullets actually passed between Private Kenna's body and arms. Undeterred, still completely exposed, he went on firing until his magazine was empty, then continuing with a rifle. As a result of his gallant action the bunker was taken without further loss
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KENNA, Edward. (reg No. 675).
Private. 2nd/4th Battalion. (New South Wales). Australian Military Forces.
London Gazetted on 6th September, 1945.
Born on 6th July, 1919 at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia. Death not recorded.
Memorial on Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: On 15th May 1945 near Wewak, New Guinea, when fire from a Japanese bunker held up the company's advance, Private Kenna stood up in full view of the enemy, who were less than 50 yards away, engaged the enemy bunker, firing his Bren gun from the hip. Retaliating, the enemy fired back, the bullets actually passed between Private Kenna's body and arms. Undeterred, still completely exposed, he went on firing until his magazine was empty, then continuing with a rifle. As a result of his gallant action the bunker was taken without further loss.
Death not recorded.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
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