Honouring Lieutenant William Ernest Karl Kenway

 

Inscription: "IN PROUD MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND. HE GAVE HIS LIFE."

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) ensures that the final resting places of the fallen of World War II, like Lieutenant William Ernest Karl Kenway are maintained with the utmost respect and dignity. 

born to Harold and Sara Luisa Kenway of  "Hagley", West Shore, Llandudno, Karl was a devoted husband to Eileen Florence Kenway of Lee, London. He was educated at Epworth College, Rhyl, before embarking on a career as a civil engineer. A sports enthusiast, Karl was an active member of the Llandudno hockey club. 

With the outbreak of the Second World war, Karl was working on a significant town planning project in Sidcup, London. Demonstrating his patriotism and bravery, he joined the Royal Engineers immediately after war was declared in 1939. As an officer in the 12th bomb Disposal Company of the Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Kenway served with distinction until his untimely death on the 30th September 1943. He was tragically killed during mine clearance operations alongside four others from his platoon. He was only 30 years of age and is now buried at "Heroes Corner" in Hills Cemetery, Sussex, Block U, Grave 377.

The blitz saw the Luftwaffe drop thousands of high-explosive bombs on British cities, many of which did not detonate. The courageous bomb disposal troops, including Lt Kenway, were tasked with defusing these dangerous devices. In September 1941, Karl and his team exhibited immense bravery, handling unexploded bombs in the Midlands. On one remarkable occasion, they loaded three live bombs into their lorry and drove them seven miles into the countryside to avoid risking lives and property. 

Karl Kenway's heroism extended beyond his bomb disposal work. During , mine clearance operations in Angmering-on-Sea, West Sussex, he was killed while attempting to defuse a British-laid device. 

An illustrative example of Karl's character was his rescue of an RAF airman trapped in a tree. While others sought ladders, Karl, climbed the tree and freed the grateful airman. His commanding officer remarked that this act typified the |man Karl was. 

Sources: 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2723422/william-earnest-karl-kenway/

https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=in-memory-of-william-kenway

https://www.royalengineersbombdisposal-eod.org.uk/individual/kenway-w-e-k/