Bernard Kenny

Bernard Carter-Kenny, GM (22nd June 1938 - 14th August 2017) was a constituent of Batley and Spen and retired miner. He witnessed the murder of Jo Cox and was stabbed by Cox's killer, Thomas Mair whilst trying to help her. Kenny was awarded a George Medal for his valiant effort in trying to save Jo Cox.

Biography
Bernard Kenny was born on 22nd June 1938 in Batley, West Yorkshire. Coincidentally, he shared the same birthday and was born in the same town as Jo Cox. Bernard's parents were James Kenny and Nora Kenny (nee Riding).

Kenny was married to Doreen Bailey, whom he wed in 1958. His son, Phil Kenny, was Jo Cox's geography teacher at Heckmondwike Grammar School.

In 1973, Kenny was a member of the Gomersal Mines Rescue Brigade when he and his colleagues rushed to the scene of the Lofthouse Colliery disaster, in which seven miners perished.

Murder of Jo Cox
On 16th June 2016, Bernard Kenny was waiting in his car outside the local library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, when he witnessed Jo Cox being attacked by a gunman who shot and stabbed her. Kenny ran to her aid but in doing so was stabbed in the abdomen by the gunman, who was identified as Thomas Mair. Cox died at the scene. Mair was later arrested half a mile from the murder scene after being identified to police.

Aftermath
In the 2017 Birthday Honours, Kenny received the George Medal for his efforts in trying to help Jo Cox.

Death
Kenny died on 14th August 2017, aged 79. He had been diagnosed with cancer. His son, Phil Kenny, said “He went very peacefully and he was not suffering. He wanted to die at home and he did so.”

Brendan Cox, Jo Cox’s husband, tweeted that Kenny was “a hero”. “He personified the best of our country; risking his own safety to help others. Our thoughts and love are with his family.”

Gallery

 * Bernard Kenny/Gallery