Name
Joseph Penn
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/07/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/5822
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church, Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Joseph and Phoebe (nee KING) PENN.
His parents married 1887 in the Watford district.
Joseph was born 17 December 1887 in Watford, and baptised 13 January 1888 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts. He attended Beechen Grove Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School from 23 January 1895 to 12 May 1896; again from 30 August 1897 to 10 May 1899; yet again from 3 October 1899. He resided in Watford.
On the 1891 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his mother and no siblings. On the 1901 Census, a boy under detention aged 13, he lived in Manor Park, Essex. On the 1911 Census, he is proving elusive.
Officially recorded as born in Watford and was living there when he enlisted in Hatfield.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hatfield, Herts; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 8 November 1914, and was presumed killed in action during a partially successful attack on Trones Wood.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Joseph’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
