Name
Charles Pennell
12 December 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
L/11720
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12D and 13B
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, Welwyn, St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn
Pre War
Charles Pennell was born in Welwyn on 12 December 1888, the son of Charles and Catherine Pennell, who then lived at Woolmer Green. He was baptised at St Mary's, Welwyn on 5 January 1890.
His father, Charles senior, was a gamekeeper and the family moved around the area, but by 1901 they were living on Welwyn Hill, when he was a postman. (N.B. some records give Charles Junior's birthplace as Codicote). They later lived at Codicote Road, Welwyn.
He enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment at Mill Hill in August 1907, soon attained the rank of Lance-Corporal and in August 1913 extended his service to 12 years. During his time with the Middlesex Regiment he served in various places, including on the Alderney Garrison and India, where he is listed in the 1911 Census.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war, Charles was engaged drilling new recruits in Kitchener’s Army and was promoted to Sergeant in September 1914, but in June 1915 he was sent to France to serve with the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.
He was posted as missing on the 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme and later confirmed as killed in action, aged 25. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
A war gratuity of £13 10s was divided equally between his mother Catherine, sister Susan and brother William, his father Charles having died in 1914. Pay owing of £35 4s 6d was divided equally between his mother, sister Susan and Mrs Elizabeth Pennell.
His older brother William had enlisted in December 1909 and served with Hertfordshire Regiment . He was wounded three times and was finally invalided out on 3 December 1917, being awarded Silver War Badge No. 281062.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
