Paul Aloysius Kenna


Paul Aloysius Kenna, VC, DSO was an English-born British Army officer of Irish descent and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that could be awarded to British and British Empire forces.

Background

He was the son of James Kenna, of Liverpool, who was descended from a family of minor gentry from County Meath. Kenna was educated at St. Augustine's College in Ramsgate, Stonyhurst College and St. Francis Xavier College in Liverpool - he is honoured in a memorial which can be seen in the main hall of the current college site in Beaconsfield Road, Liverpool and by a plaque and a portrait at Stonyhurst.

Military service and Victoria Cross

Kenna was commissioned into the British Army as a lieutenant in the 21st Lancers on 25 August 1886, and promoted to captain on 12 July 1895.
He was 36 years old, serving as a captain in the 21st Lancers during the Sudan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
He later served in the Second Boer War in South Africa 1899–1900, and was promoted a brevet major on 29 November 1900. For his service during the war, he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in the South Africa Honours list published on 26 June 1902. Following the end of the war that month Kenna returned to the United Kingdom in the RMS Dunottar Castle, which arrived at Southampton in July 1902. He received the substantive rank of major on 7 September 1902, on his appointment to lead a Mounted infantry flying column in Somaliland. In September 1910 he retired with the rank of Colonel from the Regular Army but in April 1912 was appointed to command the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade and on the outbreak of war was appointed Brigadier-General.

Olympics

He competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics for Great Britain as a horse rider. He did not finish the Individual eventing competition, also the British team did not finish the team event. In the individual jumping event he finished 27th.

World War I

He was killed in action at Suvla, Turkey during the Battle of Gallipoli on 30 August 1915, aged 53 and is buried in Lala Baba Cemetery.
His VC is on display in The Queen's Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum in Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire.

Family

Kenna married Lady Cecil Bertie, daughter of the 7th Earl of Abingdon. He married, secondly, Angela Mary, daughter of Herbert Hibbert. They had one daughter, Kathleen
His first cousin, Margaret Larkin married Simon Mangan, HM Lieutenant for Co. Meath. Their grandson was Group Captain Nicolas Tindal-Carill-Worsley.