William Walker Kennedy
Encyclopedia
William Walker Kennedy (1882 - February 10, 1963) was a Manitoba politician and lawyer.
He was born in Leeds County, Ontario
and educated at Queen's University
in Kingston, Ontario
. He moved to Manitoba
in 1904 where he worked as a journalist for two years before entering the University of Manitoba
's law school. After earning his law degree he was called to the bar in 1909.
Kennedy joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force
in November 1915 , and went to France with the 46th Battalion in May 1917. He was wounded and awarded the Military Cross
for his service at the Battle of Passchendaele and was decorated
for the Battle of Valenciennes. He was given field promotions to captain and then major before being discharged in 1919.
He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons
as the MP for Winnipeg South Centre
as a Conservative in the 1925 federal election
but defeated the next year in the 1926 federal election
.
Kennedy was returned to Parliament again in the 1930 federal election
and served as Chairman of the Royal Commission on Price Spreads and Mass Buying which was commissioned by Prime Minister R.B. Bennett to investigate complaints made by one of his cabinet members H.H. Stevens.
Kennedy lost his seat in the 1940 federal election
and was defeated a final time in the 1945 election
.
He was born in Leeds County, Ontario
Leeds County, Ontario
Leeds County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was created in 1792, and merged with Grenville County in 1850 to create Leeds and Grenville County....
and educated at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. He moved to Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
in 1904 where he worked as a journalist for two years before entering the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
's law school. After earning his law degree he was called to the bar in 1909.
Kennedy joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
in November 1915 , and went to France with the 46th Battalion in May 1917. He was wounded and awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for his service at the Battle of Passchendaele and was decorated
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
for the Battle of Valenciennes. He was given field promotions to captain and then major before being discharged in 1919.
He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
as the MP for Winnipeg South Centre
Winnipeg South Centre
Winnipeg South Centre is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1925 to 1979 and since 1988.-Geography:...
as a Conservative in the 1925 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1925
The Canadian federal election of 1925 was held on October 29 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 15th Parliament of Canada. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's Liberal Party formed a minority government. This precipitated the "King-Byng Affair".The Liberals under...
but defeated the next year in the 1926 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1926
The Canadian federal election of 1926 was held on September 14 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 16th Parliament of Canada. The election was called following an event known as the King-Byng Affair...
.
Kennedy was returned to Parliament again in the 1930 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1930
The Canadian federal election of 1930 was held on July 28, 1930 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 17th Parliament of Canada...
and served as Chairman of the Royal Commission on Price Spreads and Mass Buying which was commissioned by Prime Minister R.B. Bennett to investigate complaints made by one of his cabinet members H.H. Stevens.
Kennedy lost his seat in the 1940 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1940
The Canadian federal election of 1940 was the 19th general election in Canadian history. It was held March 26, 1940 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 19th Parliament of Canada...
and was defeated a final time in the 1945 election
Canadian federal election, 1945
The Canadian federal election of 1945 was the 20th general election in Canadian history. It was held June 11, 1945 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 20th Parliament of Canada...
.