The Honour and the Shame

by John Kenneally

Many years after becoming the youngest person ever to be awarded the VC for attacking acompany of Panzer Grenadiers on his own -- an action that proved a turning point in one of the major battles of the Second World War -- John Kenneally made an extraordinary confession. The courageous hero of the Irish Guards, who had taken on a whole company single-handed was not, in fact, John Kenneally at all, but Leslie Jackson, the illegitimate son of Neville Blond and Gertrude Robinson (a 'high-class whore'), who had deserted his former regiment, the Honourable Artillery Company. In THE HONOUR AND THE SHAME, he tells his story with great verve and frankness -- a story of riotous living, great courage on the front line, and intense loyalties. Full of the escapades of battle -- from the triumphant Tunisian campaign to the bloodbath of Anzio -- and the many adventures of a freewheeling youth,THE HONOUR AND THE SHAMEis a vivid portrait of a fascinating man.

Genres: World War II, Military History, History, Military Fiction

Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

About the author

John Patrick Kenneally VC was born Leslie Jackson; he took the identity John Kenneally to enlist in the Irish Guards of the British Army during World War Two, under which name he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and entertaining read about the life and service of John Kenneally VC, a.k.a. Leslie Jackson. Having joined the Territorial Army and serving with the Honorable Artillery Company at the beginning of World War 2, Jackson wanted more action and unsuccessfully tried to transfer to the Irish Guards. This led to his desertion from the H.A.C. and him becoming "Kennealy from southern Ireland" to join the Irish Guards. He then takes us on all his adventures and misadventures and all his wartime combat that vividly describes what it is like to be on the frontlines in North Africa and Anzio. After being wounded and returned to Britain, he trains airmen to become soldiers and ends the war in Germany having gone there in the final days of the conflict. After the war he stayed in the army, joining the paratroops and serving in Palestine in the turbulent days leading up to Israeli independence which is an interesting chapter.

PS: The books description says he is the youngest ever recipient of the Victoria Cross, but this is far from the truth as the youngest recipients are Andrew Fitzgibbon and Thomas Flinn who were both 15 years old when awarded to them.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

More shame than honor here. Fascinating and candid story of a Victoria Cross recipient. Talk about going rogue, he could teach Sarah Palin a few things especially about joie de vivre. An illegitimate son he starts life under a cloud. He deserts from the Royal Army Artillery to join the Irish Guards under an assumed name. OBTW he wanted to be in the Irish Guards because when he was in the brig while in the artillery they had been his jailers and he was impressed by their drill and discipline. In the Irish Guards he fights in the North African Campaign where he was awarded the VC. It was a complete surprise to him but he earned it. He then fought at Anzio. Good matter of fact account of combat. Interesting accounts of life during the Occupation of Germany and then in Palestine as a peacekeeper. He had girlfriends everywhere he went. Doesn't reflect much on his infidelity except to say that with death a constant companion one had to enjoy life when one could. Surprisingly he never talks much about anxiety about being found out with his false identity. He's married and during his enlistment/contract he has two children and sees his family like six months in 8 years. Wife finally gives him an ultimatum to leave the army he loves so much. At the same time he knows it's time to leave too.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Kenneally was my grandfather and i have read this book many times while growing up. after reading it now at the age of 19 i have a greater understanding of the story and am full of admiration

[Peter Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

My old man lent me this with lots of enthusiasm. He loves soldier's memoirs with the sort of fervour that any 79 year old who spent a lot of time soldiering can. I wasn't that chuffed by being presented with it with this much enthusiasm, as it meant I'd have to read it.

Truth be told, it's actually pretty interesting.

Long story short, he had a chequered upbringing, joined the artillery at the start of the war, had a bit of trouble, went AWOL, which turned into a short desertion and then rejoined under the name of Kenneally, where he made good in the Irish Guards, winning the VC.

It's quite a personal tale. He doesn't go into stuff about how a Bren gun works, regimental structure or anything like that. Instead the focus remains on his ups and downs.

It's more entertaining than I expected.

[Commander Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting run through a life through the war, warts n all.
Surprisingly engaging read.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable autobiography of a VC winner from Hitler’s War.

[Michael M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard of John Kenneally VC from my father, who was in the same Division of the British Army as the author at the time he won his Victoria Cross in the Second World War, so I was interested to read his autobiography.

I expected it to be a routine war time memoire, but it was much, much more than that.

John Kenneally lived a very interesting and not always legal life, indeed that isn't even his real name (you'll need to read the book to discover how that came about). It tells his story from his birth to his time in the British Army before, during and after the Second World War.

His descriptions of the fighting he encountered are very believable and he pulls no punches.

His great love of the Army and his comrades comes through, as does his circumspect disdain for many elements of the Army Establishment.

It is an well written book that moves along with speed and the panache you'd expect from an ex-Guardsman.

If interesting biographies, war stories or matters military are of interest then I heartily recommend this book.

[Trawets · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Kennealy won his Victoria Cross in North Africa while serving with the Irish Guards, he single handedly repelled an attack by the Germans on a vital but vulnerable hill side position. However John Keneally was not quite what he appeared, he was in fact Leslie Jackson who three years earlier had deserted from the Royal Artillery so he could join the Irish Guards under a false identity, none of which should detract from the bravery he showed in winning the VC nor the bravery he showed later in Italy and in Palestine in 1948.
This was a remarkable story told by a remarkable and gallant man.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book about the life of John Kenneally VC, and his World War II service.

It gave me an insight in the the conditions the troops had to face, the attitudes of the local populations, especially in Italy and Palestine (Two places my grandfather visited during his active service).

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutly brilliant