Cyril Kennedy (Canadian politician)
Cyril Frost Kennedy | |
|---|---|
Official 1966 portrait | |
| Member of Parliament for Colchester—Hants | |
| In office 10 June 1957 – 17 September 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Gordon Purdy |
| Succeeded by | Robert Stanfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cyril Frost Kennedy 20 April 1915 Hilden, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | 12 January 1974 (aged 58) Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Party | Progressive Conservative |
| Profession |
|
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch/service | Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1934–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | North Nova Scotia Highlanders |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
Cyril Frost Kennedy ED (20 April 1915 – 12 January 1974)[1] was a Canadian soldier and Progressive Conservative party member of the House of Commons of Canada.
Early life
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.
Military career
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 officers 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]
Politics
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[8] and in favour of the retention of the Canadian Red Ensign as part of the Great Canadian flag debate.[9] In 1966 he voted against the abolition of the death penalty.[10]
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.[11]
Later life
In 1969 Kennedy served on a royal commission investigating the costs of provincial elections in Nova Scotia.[12]
Kennedy died on January 12, 1974 in Truro, Nova Scotia at the age of 58.[13]
Electoral record
| 1957 Canadian federal election: Colchester—Hants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
| Progressive Conservative | Cyril Kennedy | 15,231 | ||||||
| Liberal | Gordon T. Purdy | 12,151 | ||||||
| Co-operative Commonwealth | Ralph Loomer | 912 | ||||||
| 1958 Canadian federal election: Colchester—Hants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
| Progressive Conservative | Cyril Kennedy | 15,653 | ||||||
| Liberal | Robert Faulkner McLellan | 11,779 | ||||||
| Co-operative Commonwealth | Ralph Loomer | 1,267 | ||||||
| 1962 Canadian federal election: Colchester—Hants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
| Progressive Conservative | Cyril Kennedy | 14,128 | ||||||
| Liberal | Hector Hill | 13,836 | ||||||
| New Democratic | Lawrence C. Cameron | 1,207 | ||||||
| Unknown | K.Y. Parker | 411 | ||||||
| 1963 Canadian federal election: Colchester—Hants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
| Progressive Conservative | Cyril Kennedy | 14,387 | ||||||
| Liberal | Hector Hill | 14,185 | ||||||
| New Democratic | Laurence C. Cameron | 822 | ||||||
| 1965 Canadian federal election: Colchester—Hants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | ||||||
| Progressive Conservative | Cyril 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.
- ^ "Crack Canadian Shot Veteran With One Arm". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. 11 August 1954.
- ^ Bird, Will R. (1983). No Retreating Footsteps. Kentville Publishing Company Limited. p. 100. ISBN 0-88999-214-2.
- ^ "Abbaye d'Ardenne". Veterans Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ "War Diary of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders" (PDF). Official War Diary. Canada Department of National Defence. June 1944. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ Bird, Will R. (1983). No Retreating Footsteps. Kentville Publishing Company Limited. p. 123. ISBN 0-88999-214-2.
- ^ "Crack Canadian Shot Veteran With One Arm". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. 11 August 1954.
- ^ "National Defence Act Amendment". Debates of the House of Commons (Hansard). House of Commons of Canada. 17 April 1967. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Canadian Flag". Debates of the House of Commons (Hansard). House of Commons of Canada. 16 December 1964. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "How MPs voted on main abolition motion". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. 6 April 1966.
- ^ Flemming, Harry (1 August 2000). "$1,000 to ice the top Tory". The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario.
- ^ Conrad, Dulcie (4 January 1969). "Probes com in three as royal commissions lift the lid on controversy". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario.
- ^ "Obituary: Cyril Frost Kennedy". The Montreal Star. Montreal, Quebec. 14 January 1974.