Thomas Kenny
Private, 13th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 682 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 13th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry all Durham Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 4 November 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 7th December, 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 4th April 1882 at South Wingate, County Durham
- Died
- 29th November, 1958 at Durham
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 4th November 1915 near La Houssoie, France, in thick mist, an officer in charge of a Patrol was shot through both thighs. Private Kenny, although repeatedly fired on by the enemy, crawled about for more than an hour with the wounded officer on his back, as he sought his way through the fog to our trenches. Although told several times to leave the officer, he refused, until at last, utterly exhausted, he left him in a comparatively safe ditch and then went for help. He then guided a rescue party to the wounded officer, who was brought to a place of safety
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KENNY, Thomas. (reg No. 682).
Private. 13th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 7th December, 1915.
Born on 4th April 1882 at South Wingate, County Durham.
Died on 29th November, 1958 at Durham.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 4th November 1915 near La Houssoie, France, in thick mist, an officer in charge of a Patrol was shot through both thighs. Private Kenny, although repeatedly fired on by the enemy, crawled about for more than an hour with the wounded officer on his back, as he sought his way through the fog to our trenches. Although told several times to leave the officer, he refused, until at last, utterly exhausted, he left him in a comparatively safe ditch and then went for help. He then guided a rescue party to the wounded officer, who was brought to a place of safety.
Additional information:. He attained rank of Lance Sergeant.
Additional information
He attained rank of Lance Sergeant
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Thomas Kenny by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.