AUSTRALIAN VC RECIPIENT AWARDED QUEEN’S JUBILEE MEDAL

World War II veteran Edward Kenna VC, one of Australia’s two surviving Victoria Cross recipients, today was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal at a ceremony at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Danna Vale, presented the medal, which was issued by the British Government this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s Accession.

“Ted Kenna is one of only 48 holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross to be awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal and one of only four Australians,” Minister Vale said.

“It is particularly fitting that he should receive the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, as Ted actually travelled to London in 1952 to witness Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.”

“The Victoria Cross and George Cross are the highest decorations for valour in the Commonwealth and the men who held them are an inspiration to all Australians. They epitomise the legacy of the Anzacs, representing between them the highest order of bravery on both the battlefield and in civilian life.”

The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration in Britain and the Commonwealth for valour in combat, while the George Cross is a civilian and military decoration for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

Ted Kenna, from Hamilton in Victoria, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in May 1945, when he was serving with the 2nd/4th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division, near Wewak in New Guinea. While attacking an enemy machine gun post, two sections of Kenna’s platoon were halted by intense fire after several men were hit. Without orders, Kenna stood up in full view of the Japanese and singlehandedly engaged the bunker at a distance of only 50 metres. Despite standing in a hail of gunfire, Kenna was uninjured and held his ground until a tank destroyed the enemy post.

“This brave and prompt action resulted in the position being taken with few casualties,” Minister Vale said.

“Ted demonstrated his courage in the most trying of circumstances and was rightly honoured with the Victoria Cross for his actions.

“By remembering the efforts of great men like Ted Kenna we see more clearly those great qualities which are the essence of our national identity,” Minister Vale said.

Media contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289

Editors note: Other Australian’s who have received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal are: Keith Payne (Victoria Cross), Richard Bywater (George Cross & George Medal) and Michael Pratt (George Cross).