Edward (Ted) Kenna was born at Hamilton, Victoria on 6th July 1919.  Upon completion of his education in Hamilton, he worked as a plumber until he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1940.

Initially serving in the 23rd/21st Battalion in Victoria and later in the Darwin region, his unit returned to Victoria in June 1943 before being sent to Queensland.  Soon after, the unit was disbanded and its members allotted as reinforcements to other units.

Edward Kenna was assigned to the 2nd/4th Battalion and embarked for Papua New Guinea in October 1944

On 15th May 1945, Ted Kenna was involved in an action near Wewak, Papua New Guinea, during which he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, risking his life to help save his platoon and making it possible for his company's attack to succeed.  His heroic actions resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross.

Three weeks later he was shot in the mouth and spent more than a year in Heidelberg Military Hospital in Melbourne before his discharge from the Australian Imperial Force in December 1946.  During his time in hospital, he was cared for by a young nurse, Marjorie Rushberry, who he married the year after his discharge.

The Kennas raised four children and, at the time of his death, Ted had 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Edward (Ted) Kenna was laid to rest during a State Funeral held at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne on 16th July 2009.

His Victoria Cross citation reads:

There is no doubt that the success of the company attack would have been seriously endangered and many casualties sustained but for Private Kenna's magnificent courage and complete disregard for his own safety.