THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

KENNERLEY Thomas Roy

24/815, Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, WW1

Service in WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 16 January 1919, p868

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Gouzeaucourt on the 9th-12th September 1918.  On the 9th, his officer having become a casualty, he led his platoon forward, clearing the wood of the enemy.  When continuing the advance the enemy opened fire on his platoon from a machine-gun post.  In company with a Warrant Officer he rushed the post, killing the crews and capturing two machine guns, thereby saving many casualties and allowing the advance to proceed.  He assisted in the subsequent consolidation and organised the remainder of the men to repel a counter attack.  On the 12th his company was attacking, and he again showed geat gallantry.  The crew of a Lewis gun had become casualties, and he took the gun into action himself and gave covering fire to enable his platoon to move forward.  After the objective had been gained he ably assisted his platoon commander in beating off a counter-attack, and was wounded while using his Lewis gun on the retreating enemy

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born September 1895, Wellington, New Zealand

Died 10 December 1974, Clive, New Zealand