Cyril Kennedy (Canadian politician)

Kennedy was born in Hilden, Nova Scotia to Liberal-Conservative Nova Scotia MLA Robert H. Kennedy along with nine other siblings.

He took up lumber work and carpentry working with the family sawmill until joining the Canadian Army.

Kennedy was commissioned as an officer in 1934 as part of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He participated in the 1937, 1938 and 1939 Army Operational Shooting Competition in Bisley, England as part of the Canadian team. He had qualified for the 1940 match, but this was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.^[2]

In 1940, he volunteered for overseas service and was commanding officer of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders' D Company at Juno Beach. On 7 June he was engaged in fighting in Buron where elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division had attacked. Two other North Nova Scotia Highlanders companies were encircled and surrendered with D Company digging in to the North of Buron. After four hours fighting, they were able to repulse the German advance with limited outside support. During the engagement Kennedy personally captured an SS machine gunner.^[3] Some of the Canadian soldiers captured that day were later executed during the Ardenne Abbey Massacre.^[4]

On July 8, during Operation Charnwood Kennedy was seriously wounded by shrapnel causing the dismemberment of his right arm. After the injury Kennedy continued commanding his company for an additional two hours before retiring to an aid post.^[5][6]

After the war, Kennedy continued to teach marksmanship to cadets and participate in military shooting competitions despite his one arm.^[7] The Nova Scotia Rifle Association's Kennedy Medal and Kennedy Match are named for him.^[8]

Kennedy was first elected for the riding of Colchester—Hants in the 1957 general election, then re-elected there in 1958, 1962, 1963 and 1965.

Kennedy debated in the House of Commons against the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces^[9] and in favour of the retention of the Canadian Red Ensign as part of the Great Canadian flag debate.^[10] In 1966 he voted against the abolition of the death penalty.^[11]

On 17 September 1967, Kennedy left the House of Commons before the end of his term in the 27th Canadian Parliament to allow the new Progressive Conservative leader Robert Stanfield to run in his seat. He did not campaign for any further re-election.^[12]

Following Kennedy's resignation, Lester B. Pearson described him in the House of Commons as "a member of quiet sincerity and friendly disposition who had won the affection of all members of this house who knew him". Robert Stanfield said Kennedy was "a very gallant Canadian who has done much to serve his country", then joked it was yet to be seen what service he had rendered by giving up his seat for Stanfield to run.^[13]

In 1969 Kennedy served on a royal commission investigating the costs of provincial elections in Nova Scotia.^[14]

Kennedy died on January 12, 1974 in Truro, Nova Scotia at the age of 58.^[15]