Brian Kenny (British Army officer)

Sir Brian Kenny
Born(1934-06-18)18 June 1934
Aldershot, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Died19 June 2017(2017-06-19) (aged 83)
Putney, London, United Kingdom
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Years of service1954–1993
RankGeneral
Service number437098
CommandsBritish Army of the Rhine (1987–89)
1st Corps (1985–87)
1st Armoured Division (1982–83)
Battles / warsUnited Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Alma materRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst

General Sir Brian Leslie Graham Kenny, GCB, CBE (18 June 1934 – 19 June 2017) was a senior British Army officer who served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 1990 until his retirement in 1993.

Early life

Brian Leslie Graham Kenny was born on 18 June 1934 at Louise Margaret Hospital in Aldershot, Hampshire.[1] He was born to Royal Artillery officer, Brigadier James Wolfenden Kenny (1899–1978), and Aileen Anne Georgina Kenny (née Swan) (1903–1995).[1] Kenny was educated at Canford School, a public school in Wimborne, Dorset, from 1948 to 1952.[1]

Military career

Kenny attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 1952 to 1954, graduating with the sword of honour.[1] Kenny was commissioned into the 4th Queen's Own Hussars in 1954.[2] He rose to be General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1st Armoured Division in 1982. He took up an appointment as Director of Army Staff Duties at the Ministry of Defence in 1984 before becoming GOC 1st Corps in 1985 and then GOC of British Army of the Rhine in 1987.[3] He was appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe in 1990 and retired in 1993.[4] He was also Colonel Commandant of the Royal Armoured Corps.[5]

Retirement and death

Kenny was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1993 to 1999.[6][7] He was King of Arms of the Order of the Bath from 1999 to 2009.[8][9]

Kenny died of complications associated with Alzheimer's disease at Lyle House care home in Putney, London, on 19 June 2017, at the age of 83.[1] He was buried in Tarrant Gunville, Dorset.[1] He was survived by his wife, Diana, and their son, as well as four grandchildren.[10]

Personal life

Kenny married Diana Catherine Jane Mathew at the parish church of Crewkerne, Somerset, on 9 August 1958.[1] They had two sons, Timothy and Stephen.[1] Kenny was fluent in French and German.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ramsbotham, David (14 January 2021). "Kenny, Sir Brian Leslie Graham". Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.90000380282. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  2. ^ "No. 40292". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 October 1954. p. 5630.
  3. ^ "No. 51121". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 November 1987. p. 14129.
  4. ^ Service appointments The Independent, 13 February 1993.
  5. ^ "No. 51427". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 1988. p. 8754.
  6. ^ "No. 53389". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 August 1993. p. 12912.
  7. ^ "No. 55590". The London Gazette. 24 August 1999. p. 9174.
  8. ^ "No. 55568". The London Gazette. 30 July 1999. p. 8229.
  9. ^ "No. 59131". The London Gazette. 17 July 2009. p. 12319.
  10. ^ Brian Kenny obituary, telegraph.co.uk; accessed 22 June 2017.
Military offices
Preceded by General Officer Commanding 1st Armoured Division
1982–1983 		Succeeded by
Preceded by General Officer Commanding 1st Corps
1985–1987 		Succeeded by
Commander-in-Chief of the British Army of the Rhine
1987–1989
Honorary titles
Preceded by Governor, Royal Hospital Chelsea
1993–1999 		Succeeded by
Heraldic offices
Preceded by King of Arms of the Order of the Bath
1999–2009 		Succeeded by