Australian Victoria Cross Recipient
Private Thomas James Bede Kenny
Unit
2nd Battalion
Born
29 September 1896 at Paddington, New South Wales
Date of action
9 April 1917
Place
Hermies, France
Details
In the attack on the village of Hermies by the 2nd and 3rd Battalions on 9 April, Kenny’s platoon came under heavy fire from a machine-gun post, which caused severe casualties. Kenny, under very heavy close-range fire, single-handedly rushed the enemy post and killed one man in front of the strong point who attempted to bar his way. He threw three bombs, the third of which knocked out the post. Kenny took the surviving occupants prisoner and a short while later the party following found him in occupation.
Died
15 April 1953
Buried or Commemorated
Roman Catholic section, Eastern Suburbs Cemetery, Matraville, Sydney
Current location of the VC
Australian War Memorial