Cecil John Kinross

Cecil John Kinross VC (born Feb 17, 1896 at Dews Farm, Harefield, Middlesex - 21 June 1957) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 21 years old, and a private in the 49th (Edmonton) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

He was awarded the V.C. at Passchendaele, Belgium on Oct 30, 1917. His citation from a supplement to The London Gazette on Jan 11, 1918 reads...

"No. 437793 Private Cecil John Kinross, Can. Inf.

"For the most conspicuous bravery in action during prolonged and severe operations."

"Shortly after the attack (on Passchendaele Ridge) was launched, the company to which he belonged came under intense artillery fire, and further advance was held up by a very severe fire from an enemy machine gun. Private Kinross, making a careful survey of the situation, deliberately divested himself of all his equipment save his rifle and bandolier and, regardless of his personal safety, advanced alone over the open ground in broad daylight, charged the enemy machine gun, killing the crew of six, and seized and destroyed the gun. His superb example and courage instilled the greatest confidence in his company, and enabled a further advance of 300 yards to be made and a highly important position to be established."

Further information

Also considered Scottish, because his father's family originated in Perthshire. Moved to Lougheed, Alberta in 1912 with his parents and siblings. Inducted voluntarily into the army at Calgary, Alberta, 21 October 1915. Wounded in the arm and head in 1917 and hospitalised at Orpington, England. Presented with Victoria Cross by King George, in March, 1918. Died in the Lougheed Hotel, 21 June 1957, after a colourful life. His grave and memorial are at Lougheed Cemetery, Alberta, Canada. Soldier's Plot. Headstone.

Mount Kinross, 2560m, 24km NW of Jasper, Alberta in the Jasper National Park was named after him in 1951.

The medal

His medal is held by his family while the minis are on display at the Loyal Edmonton Regimental Museum in Edmonton, Alberta.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
*VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
*Hoodoo Kinross, VC, The Pride of Lougheed (Ed Dixon)(mimeo)

External links

* [http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/victoriacross/05-05.asp Legion Magazine Article on Cecil John Kinross]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10780912 Find-A-Grave profile for Cecil John Kinross]