Ted Kenna, our last WWII VC winner, dies

Ted Kenna, VC recipient, dead at 90
Mex Cooper
July 9, 2009 - 11:34AM

Australia's last surviving World War II Victoria Cross recipient, Ted Kenna, has died aged 90.

Kenna was awarded the Army's greatest honour after risking his life to help save his platoon from a heavy machine gun attack in New Guinea on May 15, 1945.

Private Edward Kenna stood directly in the face of fire from a Japanese machine gun crew and continually fired upon them until they were killed and the lives of his fellow soldiers were saved.

His bravery allowed his company's attack to succeed and the enemy bunker to be captured.

Three weeks later, Mr Kenna was shot in the mouth and spent more than a year recovering in hospital where he was nursed by Marjorie Rushberry, who was to become his wife of 62 years.

Lest We Forget

From Wiki:

Victoria Cross action

The citation for his VC was gazetted on 6 September 1945, and read:

War Office, 6th September, 1945.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:-

No. VX. 102142 Private Edward KENNA, 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Military Forces.

In the South West Pacific at Wewak on 15th May, 1945, during the attack on the Wirui Mission features, Private Kenna's company had the task of capturing certain enemy positions. The only position from which observation for supporting fire could be obtained was continuously swept by enemy heavy machine gun fire and it was not possible to bring Artillery or Mortars into action.

Private Kenna's platoon was ordered forward to deal with the enemy machine gun post, so that the company operation could proceed. His section moved as close as possible to the bunker in order to harass any enemy seen, so that the remainder of the platoon could attack from the flank. When the attacking sections came into view of the enemy they were immediately engaged at very close range by heavy automatic fire from a position not previously disclosed. Casualties were suffered and the attackers could not move further forward.

Private Kenna endeavoured to put his Bren gun into a position where he could engage the bunker, but was unable to do so because of the nature of the ground. On his own initiative and without orders Private Kenna immediately stood up in full view of the enemy less than fifty yards away and engaged the bunker, firing his Bren gun from the hip. The enemy machine gun immediately returned Private Kenna's fire and with such accuracy that bullets actually passed between his arms and his body. Undeterred, he remained completely exposed and continued to fire at the enemy until his magazine was exhausted. Still making a target of himself, Private Kenna discarded his Bren gun and called for a rifle. Despite the intense machine gun fire, he seized the rifle and, with amazing coolness, killed the gunner with his first round.

A second automatic opened fire on Private Kenna from a different position and another of the enemy immediately tried to move into position behind the first machine gun, but Private Kenna remained standing and killed him with his next round.

The result of Private Kenna's magnificent bravery in the face of concentrated fire, was that the bunker was captured without further loss, and the company attack proceeded to a successful conclusion, many enemy being killed and numerous automatic weapons captured.

There is no doubt that the success of the company attack would have been seriously endangered and many casualties sustained but for Private Kenna's magnificent courage and complete disregard for his own safety. His action was an outstanding example of the highest degree of bravery.[2]

Three weeks later he was shot in the mouth and spent more than a year in hospital before being discharged from the AIF in December 1946. The following year he married Marjorie Rushberry, who had nursed him at Heidelberg Military Hospital.

kennas said:

Ted Kenna, VC recipient, dead at 90
Mex Cooper
July 9, 2009 - 11:34AM

Australia's last surviving World War II Victoria Cross recipient, Ted Kenna, has died aged 90.

Kenna was awarded the Army's greatest honour after risking his life to help save his platoon from a heavy machine gun attack in New Guinea on May 15, 1945.

Private Edward Kenna stood directly in the face of fire from a Japanese machine gun crew and continually fired upon them until they were killed and the lives of his fellow soldiers were saved.

His bravery allowed his company's attack to succeed and the enemy bunker to be captured.

Three weeks later, Mr Kenna was shot in the mouth and spent more than a year recovering in hospital where he was nursed by Marjorie Rushberry, who was to become his wife of 62 years.

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So many amazing stories of heroism from these old guys (not that they would tell you).

My uncle received a DCM. I remember finding an old newspaper article on how he gathered up the last remaining ammo (as his unit was pinned down), then took out the Jap positions. He fought through WW2 and was involved in Korea.

Sad news indeed.

RIP Ted. Unbelievable bravery under intense fire, mate.

I for one won't forget these men.

Coincidentally, I just finished reviewing footage of the 1978 Sydney Anzac Day March (purchased a copy from the ABC Archives people) to see if it showed my dear departed dad who passed away in 1987 aged 66.

He was there, proudly holding the 2/17th Bn banner at the head of the Bn, as he did most years! Brought a lump to the throat I can tell you - also, to see the hundreds of men in all those units, both WWI and WWII - compared to this years sadly dwindling WW2 ranks.

This is the first time I have seen my dad in "live" footage since his death. I don't care that the ABC charge an arm and a leg for the footage. I'm so rapt to see this, that I am going to get the 1981 March as well.


LEST WE FORGET


aj

Aussiejeff said:

Brought a lump to the throat I can tell you -

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Lump to my throat too Aussiejeff.

Thanks for posting that. Incredible story and man.
Thanks and R.I.P.

my old man was WWII
hes still working part of the farm and drives better than my mates still
its pretty hard on them tho, as the last decade has seen virtually all his mates from the war and post war RSA meetings, die.
the bulk of the history of his time will sadly die with him like the grandfather at egypt and gallipoli's times.

in nz they treat their war vets very poorly unlike here. the vietnam ones r dying too in mass and only got some minor help when one of them got lucky and found a map in his shed which showed the kiwis were in one of the very worst of the defoliated areas. the millitary had denied this for decades. it costs an awful lot to assist a kid with some nasty degenerative disease, and can easily split normal families, let alone a war vet.

its a shame the internet didnt come togeather a decade or so before it did, so oldies could document their stories of mates and times.

nothing against ted kenna but really anyone who stands on the battlefield and risks their life for country is a hero. like i've let plenty of lead fly and seen what it does to soft tissue and bones, and i certainly wouldnt like to have lead flying my way. who knows when one could hit and blow yr head apart like a melon exploding. 308 and 223 ammo even in millitary version makes an aweful mess and noise, let along 50calibre.
soft nosed, hi powered sporting ammo just devestates things. all supersonic ammo makes a load crack when going past u to.

You related Kenna's?

tech/a said:

You related Kenna's?

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No tech. I probably should have said that before.