Charles Thomas Kennedy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about Charles Thomas Kennedy, VC, a Scottish soldier. See Charles Kennedy (disambiguation) for others of the same name.
Charles Thomas Kennedy (6 January 1876 - 24 April 1907) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Contents |
[edit] Details
He was 24 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 November 1900 at Dewetsdorp, South Africa, Private Kennedy carried a wounded comrade who was bleeding to death, from Gibraltar Hill to the hospital, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, under very heavy enemy fire. The following day Kennedy volunteered to carry a message to the commanding officer across an area in direct view of enemy forces. Although Kennedy was unsuccessful in his attempt to deliver the message, as he was severely wounded before he had travelled 20 yards, he ultimately survived the war.
[edit] Further information
He is buried in North Merchiston Cemetery, Edinburgh, the city in which he was born.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Glasgow, Scotland).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Edinburgh)
