VC recipient laid to rest in Melbourne

Military and political leaders have joined family and mates to farewell one of
Australia's last few Victoria Cross recipients, Ted Kenna.
The last Australian to be receive the supreme award for gallantry in WWII, Mr Kenna
drew around 500 mourners to his state funeral at St Patrick's Cathedral in
Melbourne.
Led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, they heard of a selfless, modest man who "loved a
drink and a punt" and who almost never spoke of the deeds that made him a hero.
Mr Kenna was awarded his VC for "magnificent bravery" in the face of heavy Japanese
machine gun fire near Wewak in New Guinea in May, 1945.
In his eulogy, Major General Gordon Maitland, spoke of a humble comrade known to
fellow soldiers as "Ned" whose military service was matched by his devotion to his
wife of 62 years.
"He recognised the stature of being a Victoria Cross holder," said Maj Gen Maitland.
"But he sought no glamour, no reward.
"He wore it with empathy and he wore it for all of those who fought with him."
Also among the mourners were Victorian Premier John Brumby, federal opposition
leader Malcolm Turnbull, fellow VC recipient, Keith Payne and the last Gurkha to be
awarded the medal, Captain Limbu Rimbahadur.
Mr Payne, who along with Trooper Mark Donaldson, is the only other living Australian
VC winner, said it was always sad when one of "the club" is lost.
"And when it's a good mate, it hurts terribly," the Vietnam veteran said.
"The trouble is, we're losing them all."
In his epilogue, Mr Brumby echoed the words of all who knew Mr Kenna.
"He was one who wore his VC not for himself but for those he fought alongside," Mr
Brumby said.
Mr Kenna's VC medal on its purple ribbon sat with his other medals, pinned to a
scarlet cushion near a casket draped with an Australian flag and adorned with a
slouch hat bearing the insignia of the 2/4th infantry battalion in which he served.
Mr Kenna died in Geelong last week.
He was 90.