Edward Kenna

He stood exposed to enemy fire and silenced a machine-gunner

Edward “Ted” Kenna earned the Victoria Cross with the 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion near Wewak, New Guinea, on 15 May 1945. Born in Hamilton, Victoria, on 6 July 1919, he left school to work with a plumber. He joined the Citizens’ Military Force in August 1940 and served in Victoria, the Northern Territory and Queensland before reaching New Guinea in October 1944.

During an attack near Wirui Mission, a concealed Japanese machine gun stopped his platoon. Unable to fire effectively from cover, Kenna stood less than fifty yards from the position and fired his Bren gun from the hip. Bullets passed between his arms and body. When the magazine emptied, he called for a rifle and shot the gunner, then another soldier attempting to take over the weapon. His action enabled the Australians to capture the bunker and continue their attack.

Kenna was seriously wounded three weeks later and returned to Australia for treatment at Heidelberg Military Hospital. There he met nurse Marjorie Rushbury, whom he married in 1947. They settled in Hamilton and raised four children. He worked as a gardener for Hamilton City Council and played Australian Rules football.

Kenna died in Geelong on 8 July 2009, aged ninety. Hamilton commemorated him with a portrait and, later, a public sculpture.

Victoria Cross citation London Gazette, 4 September 1945, pages4467–4468:

In the South West Pacific at Wewak on 15th May, 1945, during the attack near 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.