Cyril Kennedy (Canadian politician)

For the Australian politician, see Cyril Kennedy (Australian politician).

Cyril Frost Kennedy DSC
Member of Parliament for Colchester—Hants
In office June 1957 – September 1967
Preceded by	Gordon Purdy
Succeeded by	Robert Stanfield
Personal details
Born	20 April 1915 Hilden, Nova Scotia
Died	12 January 1974(1974-01-12) (aged 58)
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Profession	Building contractor, businessman, lumberman
Military service
Allegiance	Canada
Branch/service	Canadian Army
Years of service	1936–1945
Rank	Major
Unit	North Nova Scotia Highlanders
Battles/wars	Second World War

Cyril Frost Kennedy DSC (20 April 1915 – 12 January 1974) was a 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 siblings.

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

Military life

Kennedy became a commissioned officer in 1936 as part of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He participated in the 1938 Army Operational Shooting Competition in England as part of the Canadian contingent. In 1940, he volunteered for overseas service and on June 6, 1944 fought at Juno Beach as Officer Commanding of his regiment's "D" Company. On June 7 he was engaged in fighting in Buron where elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division had attacked. Two other North Nova Scotia companies were encircled and surrendered (and some of the prisoners were executed during the Ardenne Abbey Massacre), but "D" Company dug in and after four hours of fighting were able to repulse the German advance with limited support. For gallantry during this action Kennedy received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Later on July 8 while fighting in the re-taking of Authie Kennedy received shrapnel from a Nebelwerfer rocket in his right arm, which required amputation. Despite this injury, after the war Kennedy resumed work as a carpenter.

Politics

He was first elected at the Colchester—Hants riding in the 1957 general election, then re-elected there in 1958, 1962, 1963 and 1965. On 17 September 1967, Kennedy left the House of Commons before the end of his term in the 27th Canadian Parliament and did not campaign for any further re-election. He resigned his seat for Robert Stanfield who had not secured a seat in 1965, the recently elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

Electoral record

1957 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Progressive Conservative	Cyril F. Kennedy	15,231
	Liberal	Gordon T. Purdy	12,151
	Co-operative Commonwealth	Ralph Loomer	912

1958 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Progressive Conservative	Cyril F. Kennedy	15,653
	Liberal	Robert Faulkner McLellan	11,779
	Co-operative Commonwealth	Ralph Loomer	1,267

1962 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Progressive Conservative	Cyril F. Kennedy	14,128
	Liberal	Hector Hill	13,836
	New Democratic	Lawrence C. Cameron	1,207
	Unknown	K.Y. Parker	411

1963 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Progressive Conservative	Cyril F. Kennedy	14,387
	Liberal	Hector Hill	14,185
	New Democratic	Laurence C. Cameron	822

1965 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Progressive Conservative	Cyril F. Kennedy	15,250
	Liberal	Hector Hill	12,962
	New Democratic	Gordon S. Schurman	1,078
	Independent	Robert Kirk	299

External links

• Cyril Kennedy (Canadian politician) – Parliament of Canada biography