A talk by Margaret Hedley
Thursday 19 November | 18:00-19:00 | The Story Learning Studio | £5 per person
Thomas Kenny was an ordinary man from Hart Bushes, Station Town, Wingate, a pitman, husband, and family man living through the turbulent years of the First World War. Like so many of his generation, he answered his country’s call and enlisted in the 13th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry in September 1914.
He never sought recognition or glory, yet on a cold, fog-shrouded night in November 1915, Kenny’s courage and determination turned him into an unlikely hero when he and his commanding officer, Lieutenant Philip Brown, became lost in No Man’s Land while on patrol.
Thomas Kenny’s remarkable story is one of patriotism, bravery, and quiet modesty, offering a fascinating insight into the lives and sacrifices of ordinary Durham men who achieved extraordinary things.
About the speaker
After retiring early from her job as Head of Year in a Sunderland secondary school, Margaret set up her research business concentrating on carrying out family history research for clients around the world, who have roots in the North of England.
Her personal area of expertise focuses on her great great grandmother’s story in County Durham and this research has been published under the above title.
This became a trilogy as readers were keen to see what happened to Hannah’s family after her death at the beginning of the 19th century and they follow the fortunes of the family up until the beginning of pit closures in East Durham in the 1960’s.
As well as research, Margaret uses her personal experience in genealogy to give talks on local and family history.