McKENNA, EDWARD (1830-1908) was born in Leeds, of Irish parentage, and came to New Zealand in 1846 as a non-commissioned officer in the 65th Regiment. He served through the Maori wars, and on 7 Sep 1863 was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in an engagement at Alexandra Redoubt, near Camerontown. He was also promoted from colour-sergeant to ensign, and received that rank in the militia (Dec 1865). On retiring (1867), he joined the New Zealand Railway department, being stationmaster in Kaiapoi, Invercargill, Ashburton, Palmerston North, Gore and Wanganui (1896). He retired from the railways in 1903, and died at Palmerston North 8 Jun 1908.

Railway department records; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cowan; Cycl. N.Z., i; Evening Post, 9 Jun 1908; N.Z. Herald, 10 Jun 1903; N.Z. Graphic, 14 Oct 1893 (p); Auckland Weekly News, 27 Oct 1899 (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 15

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