Born in Leeds, 15 February 1827, Edward McKenna enlisted with the 65th Regiment in 1854. He served in Australia and New Zealand and was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during an incident that occurred near Cameron Town on 7 September 1863. He was a Colour-Sergeant at the time and was subsequently promoted as an Ensign.

citation:

"On 7 September 1863 near Camerontown, New Zealand, after both his officers had been shot, Colour-Sergeant McKenna, with a small force, heavily outnumbered by the enemy, charged through their position with the loss of one man killed and one missing. The colour-sergeant's coolness and intrepidity amply justified the confidence placed in him by the soldiers brought so suddenly under his command."

While in New Zealand Edward McKenna married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Gordon, also of the 65th Regiment. When the regiment returned to England Edward took his discharge in New Zealand, and took up employment with the Railways Department.He died in Palmerston North on 8 June 1908