V.C. FOR IRISH GUARDSMAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1943, Page 5

V.C. FOR IRISH GUARDSMAN

TWO EXTRAORDINARY CHARGES "RUGBY, August 17. Two amazing single-handed charges on an entire German company during the Tunisian campaign have brought the award of the Victoria Cross to an Irish Guardsman, LanceCorporal John Patrick Kenneally. During the April lighting he charged single-handed down a bare, forward slope, straight at a full enemy company which was preparing to attack the "Guardsmen’s positions, firing a Bren gun from the hip as he charged. His outstanding act of gallantry and the dash with which it was executed completely imbalanced the enemy company, which broke up in disorder. Kenneally then returned to the crest, further to harass their retreat. He repeated this remarkable exploit a few days later, again so harassing the enemy and inflicting so many casualties that the protected enemy attack was frustrated. He continued fighting ail that day despite a wound. The citation says: “His unfailing vigilance and remarkable accuracy saved many valuable lives during the days and nights in the forward positions. His actions also played a considerable part in holding these positions. and this influenced the whole epurse of the battle. His rapid appreciation of the situation, initiative, and extraordinary gallantly in attacking single-handed a massed body of the enemy and breaking up the attack on two occasions was an achievement that can seldom have been equalled."

AWARDS TO N.Z’ERS

WELLINGTON, August 18. Advice has been received that His Majesty the King has approved the following immediate awards of Military Medals to New Zealand personnel in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East: Temporary Sergeant L. N. Parris; wife. Mrs. O. Parris,. Waihou. Private A. T. Luxford; father. Mr. W. T. Luxford, Victoria, Australia. Sergeant'Parris, who is aged 27, left for the Middle East with the Second Echelon and was wounded three times. He is at present home on furlough. Before enlisting he was in business at Putaruru. Private Luxford, who is also 2(, left for the Middle East with an early reinforcement draft. He was wounded in December, 1941, and again in June, 1943. Before the war he was employed in the timber industry at Rotorua.