Name
Joseph Edward Penn
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
196577
Royal Garrison Artillery
164th Siege Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SANDPITS BRITISH CEMETERY, FOUQUEREUIL
IV. D. 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Potters Bar memorials
Pre War
Joseph Edward Penn was born in 1888 in North Mimms, Potters Bart o Joseph Penn, a gardener, and Annie (nee Johnson).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, David (born 1880), Florence (born 1881), Louisa (born 1885), Joseph E, and Elizabeth (born 1890) were living at Frampton Road, North Mimms.
His father died in 1891 and his widowed mother married Walter Knight at some later date (not yet found).
On the 1901 Census Joseph was living with his Stepfather & Mother (using the surname Knight), David, Elizabeth, Elijah & Alfred Knight (born 1895) and Walter (born 1901) at Camhall Road, Leytonstone.
Joseph married Elizabeth Ellen Miles in 1906?
On the 1911 Census living at 25 Lascelles Road, Leytonstone, Leyton the family consisted of parents (Joseph E and Elizabeth), Thomas George (born 1907), Alfred George (born 1909), Joseph Edward (born 1911). Their marriage is stated as being in 1906 but the actual marriage was 7 Dec 1914 at West Ham Registry office.
There would be further children: Walter H (born 1912), Annie Violet (born 1912) and Ivy May (born 1916).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Joseph. Joseph enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 196577 and was posted to 164th Siege Battery R G A. This Battery consisted of 4 6inch Howitzers weighing over 1.25 tons each. The battery was formed in in May 1916 in the Humber Garrison.
The Battery arrived in France 4 Sep 1916 and fought on the Somme at Ancre (Oct 1916). Transferring to 1st Canadian Corps in Mar 1917 the Battery was part of the successful Artillery barrage during the Capture of Vimy Ridge (9-14 Apr 1917). Passchendaele as part of 3rd Army and in 1918 when Joseph joined (His Medal index Card indicates that he went to France on 19 May 1918) were part of 5th Army during the final advances in Flanders.
Joseph was wounded and died on 20 Aug 1918.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £9 and arrears og £6 0s 1d was paid to his widow,
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
