Honour For Thomas The Tank Engine Artist

John T Kenney

An artist who illustrated Thomas the Tank Engine books has been honoured in Kibworth today, with the unveiling of a green plaque where he used to live.

John T Kenney’s talent became known world-wide, as he also illustrated over 30 Ladybird books.

The plaque – part of a Leicestershire County Council scheme to recognise famous local people – has been placed at the Hunny Hive Day Nursery on Smeeton Road, where his house was.

Mr Kenny lived there with his wife Peggy between 1949 and 1958, before moving to Smeeton Westerby where he died in 1972 aged 61.

Kibworth villager Stephen Butt nominated him for the plaque and spoke to Hfm:

One Of John T Kenney’s illustrations