William Kenealy VC

Pic. Courtesy of Alan Darbyshire

As part of its commemorations to mark the centenary of World War One, Wigan Council has worked with members of the Kenealy family, who still live locally, to re-name the children’s library at Ashton the ‘William Kenealy VC Children’s Library’.

A glass partition with artwork illustrating the new library name and Private Kenealy’s story was unveiled at the library on Wednesday 13th May.

A commemorative flagstone from the Government was also installed at the library to honour Private Kenealy.

Private Kenealy grew up in Ashton so it is fitting that we honour him in this way, ensuring that future generations remember his name and the service he gave for his country.”

Private Kenealy joined the Lancashire Fusiliers aged 23 and won his Victoria Cross five years later after crawling on his belly under heavy machine gun fire to cut through a barrier of unbroken wire which had held up his company and returned unscathed.

He had previously completed service as a runner, delivering messages between positions under heavy enemy fire.

Pic. Courtesy of Alan Darbyshire

William Kenealy, Private Kenealy’s great-nephew, lives in Pewfall near Ashton with his wife Linda. He said: “The whole family is very proud to have the children’s library named after my great-uncle.

“It is a wonderful honour that his name will live on in this way and especially pleasing that children will learn about his achievements as well as the sacrifices given by so many during the war.

“We are grateful to Wigan Council for their determination to honour William’s name and the other Victoria Cross winners from World War One in a significant way.”

Shortly after the Gallipoli Landing Private Kenealy was promoted to corporal and then lance-sergeant. He was seriously wounded in action on 28th June 1915 and died the next day. He is buried at the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula.

The library is the second event to commemorate the sacrifice of Wigan Borough’s four winners of the Victoria Cross in World War One.

In March ‘Grimshaw Park’ in Abram was named after Lieutenant-Colonel John Grimshaw. Lt-Col Grimshaw also won his Victoria Cross at Gallipoli.

Last year it was announced Wilkinson Park Drive in Bickershaw was to be named after Private Alfred Wilkinson VC.