Cyril Kennedy
Cyril Frost Kennedy DSC (20 April 1915 – 12 January 1974)[1] was a Progressive Conservative party member of the House of Commons of Canada.
Cyril Frost Kennedy | |
---|---|
Member of Parliament for Colchester—Hants | |
In office June 1957 – September 1967 | |
Preceded by | Gordon Purdy |
Succeeded by | Robert Stanfield |
Personal details | |
Born | 20 April 1915 Hilden, Nova Scotia |
Died | 12 January 1974 58) | (aged
Political party | Progressive Conservative |
Profession | Building contractor, businessman, lumberman |
Military service | |
Allegiance | |
Branch/service | Canadian Army |
Years of service | 1936–1945 |
Rank | |
Unit | North Nova Scotia Highlanders |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Early life
Kennedy was born in Hilden, Nova Scotia to Liberal-Conservative Nova Scotia MLA Robert H. Kennedy along with nine siblings.
He took up lumber work and carpentry working with the family sawmill until joining the Canadian Army.
Military life
Kennedy became a commissioned officer in 1936 as part of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He participated in the 1938 Army Operational Shooting Competition in England as part of the Canadian contingent. In 1940, he volunteered for overseas service and on June 6, 1944 fought at Juno Beach as Officer Commanding of his regiment's "D" Company. On June 7 he was engaged in fighting in Buron where elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division had attacked. Two other North Nova Scotia companies were encircled and surrendered (and some of the prisoners were executed during the Ardenne Abbey Massacre), but "D" Company dug in and after four hours of fighting were able to repulse the German advance with limited support. For gallantry during this action Kennedy received the Distinguished Service Medal.
Later on July 8 while fighting in the re-taking of Authie Kennedy received shrapnel from a Nebelwerfer rocket in his right arm, which required amputation. Despite this injury, after the war Kennedy resumed work as a carpenter.
Politics
He was first elected at the Colchester—Hants riding in the 1957 general election, then re-elected there in 1958, 1962, 1963 and 1965. On 17 September 1967, Kennedy left the House of Commons before the end of his term in the 27th Canadian Parliament and did not campaign for any further re-election. He resigned his seat for Robert Stanfield who had not secured a seat in 1965, the recently elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.
Electoral record
1957 Canadian federal election | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
Progressive Conservative | Cyril F. Kennedy | 15,231 | ||||||
Liberal | Gordon T. Purdy | 12,151 | ||||||
Co-operative Commonwealth | Ralph Loomer | 912 |
1958 Canadian federal election | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
Progressive Conservative | Cyril F. Kennedy | 15,653 | ||||||
Liberal | Robert Faulkner McLellan | 11,779 | ||||||
Co-operative Commonwealth | Ralph Loomer | 1,267 |
1962 Canadian federal election | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
Progressive Conservative | Cyril F. Kennedy | 14,128 | ||||||
Liberal | Hector Hill | 13,836 | ||||||
New Democratic | Lawrence C. Cameron | 1,207 | ||||||
Unknown | K.Y. Parker | 411 |
1963 Canadian federal election | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
Progressive Conservative | Cyril F. Kennedy | 14,387 | ||||||
Liberal | Hector Hill | 14,185 | ||||||
New Democratic | Laurence C. Cameron | 822 |
1965 Canadian federal election | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
Progressive Conservative | Cyril F. Kennedy | 15,250 | ||||||
Liberal | Hector Hill | 12,962 | ||||||
New Democratic | Gordon S. Schurman | 1,078 | ||||||
Independent | Robert Kirk | 299 |
References
- "PARLINFO - Parliamentarian File - Federal Experience - KENNEDY, Cyril Frost". parl.gc.ca. 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.