A SOLDIER will be honoured in a ceremony 100 years to the day after he won the Victoria Cross.
A commemorative stone to honour the bravery of Private Thomas Kenny will be unveiled at Wheatley Hill Cemetery on Wednesday (Nov 4) at a ceremony attended by more than 50 members of his family.
The South Wingate-born miner was serving with the Durham Light Infantry in the First World War when he was awarded the VC.
The father-of-six was on patrol in No Man’s Land when Lieutenant Philip Brown was shot through both thighs. Pte Kenny carried him for more than an hour through thick fog and under enemy fire, before returning to his trenches to bring stretcher bearers to carry the wounded officer back to the battalion’s trenches.
A century later, a stone commemorating his courage will be unveiled at an event attended by Cllr Jan Blakey, Chairman of Durham County Council, and Sue Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.
The stone is the first of seven to be laid across County Durham over the next three years as part of a national initiative to remember those who received the VC for their actions during the conflict.
Each bears the soldier’s name, rank and regiment along with the date of the action for which they were awarded the medal, with the ceremony jointly funded by East Durham AAP, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Wheatley Hill Parish Council
Cllr Jan Blakey, Chairman of Durham County Council, said: “Thomas Kenny was an extremely brave man and a deserved recipient of the Victoria Cross.
“It is only right and fitting that he should be honoured in the community he returned to after the First World War."
Pte Kenny survived the war and, on returning home, was greeted by villagers including children from Wingate Catholic School, who recited a poem written in his honour.
The ceremony starts at 11am but members of the public wishing to attend are asked to arrive by 10.30am.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here