James Kenny (VC)

Collecting ammunition, he braved fire to supply his company.

James Kenny was born in Ireland in 1824. He enlisted in the 3rd Regiment in November 1843 and transferred to the 53rd Regiment the following year. Service with the regiment took him to India and into the Sutlej campaign of 1845–46 and the Punjab campaign of 1848–49.

By the time of the uprising of 1857, Kenny was an experienced private. On 16 November, during the fighting at the Secunderabagh at Lucknow, he distinguished himself in the attack against the defended enclosure. His Victoria Cross citation recognised his conspicuous bravery in that assault. He also volunteered to bring ammunition to his company under heavy fire, helping the men continue their resistance during the battle.

The operation formed part of the advance to relieve Lucknow. Kenny's decorations recognised this wider service as well as the individual act: he held the Sutlej Medal, the Punjab Medal with Goojerat clasp and the Indian Mutiny Medal with the Relief of Lucknow and Lucknow clasps.

He remained in India after the campaign. In 1861 he transferred to the 6th Bengal European Fusiliers, which became the 101st Regiment following the transfer of the East India Company's European troops to the Crown. His military discharge also dates from 1861.

Kenny died at Multan in early October 1862, aged about 38, only a few years after the act that brought his Victoria Cross. He was buried in the European cemetery there in a grave that is no longer individually marked.