Name
Bert Penney
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/10/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
G/50131
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex) Regiment
23rd Bn. (2nd Footballers)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 113 to 115
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St. Michael & All Angels Church Memorial, Watford (Herbert Penny), Not on the Croxley Green memorials
Pre War
Bertie was the son of William and Ann Penney (nee Halsey). He was born 21 May 1896 in Croxley Green. The birth was registered in the Watford area in the second quarter of 1896.
His parents married 25 November 1882 at St Mary’s, Redbourn, Herts. Ann died 14 July 1924 in Watford aged 62, and was buried 17 July in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; William died 2 August 1937 in Watford aged 77, and was buried 6 August, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
William was a water cress grower, originally from Redbourn where he married Ann at St Mary’s Church on 25 November 1882.
Bert attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 11 January 1904 to 23 May 1910.
In 1911 the family was living at 9 Durban Road, Watford and Bertie, aged 14 was working as a grocer’s assistant. He had five older siblings. In 1901 the family was living at 8 Hagden Lane, Watford and in 1891 in Redbourn. Judging by the family’s 1901 census entry they moved to Croxley Green between 1892 and 1894.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, and was formerly G/41449 Royal Fusiliers.
At the end of September 1918, Bert’s battalion was engaged in pushing back the Germans south and east of Ypres. An attack on 29th September resulted in 110 German prisoners but 141 casualties including 25 killed. The battalion made a further attack on 1st October at the cost of 10 killed and 77 wounded.
They remained in the front line until 3 October, the day Bert is recorded as being killed in action.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a death announcement for Bert in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 26 October 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 4 October 1919. A Herbert PENNY is commemorated at St Michael's.
Acknowledgments
Brian Thomson, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH online via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
