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.