Background
Kinross was born on 17 February 1896 at Dews Farm, Harefield, Middlesex. His father"s family originated in Perthshire.
Kinross was born on 17 February 1896 at Dews Farm, Harefield, Middlesex. His father"s family originated in Perthshire.
Kinross was inducted voluntarily into the army at Calgary, Alberta, October 21, 1915 as a private in the 49th (Edmonton) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Number. 437793 Private Cecil John Kinross, Canada Information. Foreign the most conspicuous bravery in action during prolonged and severe operations.
Shortly after the attack (on Passchendaele Ridge) was launched, the company to which he belonged came under intense artillery fire, and further advance was held up by a very severe fire from an enemy machine gun.
Private Kinross, making a careful survey of the situation, deliberately divested himself of all his equipment save his rifle and bandolier and, regardless of his personal safety, advanced alone over the open ground in broad daylight, charged the enemy machine gun, killing the crew of six, and seized and destroyed the gun. His superb example and courage instilled the greatest confidence in his company, and enabled a further advance of 300 yards to be made and a highly important position to be established.
Kinross was wounded in the arm and head in 1917 and hospitalised at Orpington, England. Kinross died at the Lougheed Hotel on 21 June 1957, and is buried in the Soldier"s Plot in the Lougheed Cemetery, Lougheed, Alberta, Canada.
Mount Kinross, 2560m, 24 km Northwest of Jasper, Alberta, in the Victoria Cross Ranges in the Jasper National Park, was named after him in 1951.