John Henry Penlington

Royal West Kent Regiment

Personal Details

Born: 24 October 1881 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 16 November the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the second of ten children born to John Penlington, a gas stoker, and his wife Mary. John married Ellen Barlow on 18 June 1901 at St. Oswald`s Church, Malpas, Cheshire and together they had nine children – George Edward, Edith Emma, Frank, Harry, Thomas, Ellen, Edgar Richard, Eva and James E.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, the family lived in Newtown, Whitchurch; by 1891 they had moved to 15 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. In 1901 he was boarding at 21 Chester Road, Whitchurch. By 1911 he was living with his wife and children in Well Street, Malpas; he was still living at this address in 1926. By 1939 he had moved to The Observatory, Aberhafesp, Montgomeryshire, Wales, where he continued to live until the time of his death in 1941.

Employment: In 1901 and 1911 he was a domestic groom. When he enlisted he stated his occupation as motor driver; in 1939 he was a farmer.

Died: 4 October 1941 in Bettisfield, Flintshire, Wales, aged 59.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal West Kent Regiment (previously Kent Cycle Battalion and Royal Army Service Corps)

Rank: Private

Service Number: G/27051

Date of Enlistment: 11 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 7 January 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He served in India from 12 June 1917 until 9 December 1919.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the British War Medal.

British War Medal

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.


 


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