THE FAMILY OF PRIVATE CECIL KINROSS, 49TH BN, CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, HAS HANDED OVER HIS VICTORIA CROSS GROUP INTO THE CARE OF EDMONTON CITY HALL IN ALBERTA.
9 November 2015
News source and images courtesy William Mullen of Canada


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Private Cecil Kinross,
49th Bn ( Edmonton Regiment ), CEF

  • Victoria Cross
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )


The Victoria Cross group awarded to Private Cecil Kinross, 49th Bn ( Edmonton Regiment ), Canadian Expeditionary Force, has been handed over as a permanent loan to Edmonton City Hall in Alberta by John Kinross Kennedy, the nephew of Cecil Kinross. The unveilling of the presentation case containing the Victoria Cross was carried out by Don Iveson the Mayor of Edmonton on the 9th November 2015. The Victoria Cross, campaign and commemorative medals, are on display at the entrance to the Mayor's Office.






For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 11 January 1918 ], Passchendaele, Belgium, 28 October - 1 November 1917, Private Cecil John Kinross, 49th Bn, ( Alberta Regiment ), Canadian Expeditionary Force.

For most conspicuous bravery in action during prolonged and severe operations ( Passchendaele Ridge, Belgium ).

Shortly after the attack 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.

Throughout the day he showed marvellous coolness and courage, fighting with the utmost aggressiveness against heavy odds until seriously wounded.

Cecil Kinross was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 6th April 1918.

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Iain Stewart, 22 February 2016