Reginald Penson
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Reginald Penson (birth name Percy Reginald Penson) was born on 11th April 1887 in Leicester and was the son of Frederick a sewing machine agent and Mary Penson née Dook of 8 Burns Street, Mansfield. His father Frederick was born in 1862 in Lakenheath Suffolk and his mother Mary Ann Dook was born in 1867 in Laughton, Lincolnshire, they were married in 1886 in Leicester and went on to have 4 children, Reginald b1887, Charles Frederick b1889, Harry b1895 Gainsborough and Phyllis b1906 Mansfield. In the 1911 census the family are living at 8 Burns Street, Mansfield and are shown as Fred 49 yrs a sewing machine agent, he is living with his wife Mary Ann 44 yrs and their children, Henry 16 yrs a shop assistant in a corn merchants, and Phyllis Mary 5 yrs.
Private Reginald Penson, enlisted on 6th September 1914 at London, he was residing at Hampstead at the time and served with the 2nd Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). He went to Malta on 9th September and then on to France on 30th December 1914. He landed in France on 6th January 1915 and was killed in action at Armentieres on 15th May 1915. He was buried in Ferme Buterne Military Cemetery, Houplines.
Killed at Armentieres: Sources: CWGC, Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser 27/05/1915, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour. His brother Henry also served during the Great War he enlisted on 26th February 1916 at Mansfield giving his age as 21 yrs and 186 days and his address as 8 Burns Street, Mansfield , he was posted to the Durham Light Infantry, he survived the war and was discharged on 1st February 1919. An article was published on 22nd May 1915 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD. “Mansfield Royal Fusilier Killed in Action. “Mr. and Mrs. Penson, of 8, Burns Street, Mansfield, have received news that their son. Percy Reginald Penson, was killed in the trenches in France on Saturday last. “Private Penson belonged to the 2nd London Regiment of the Royal Fusiliers, which he joined in September last. He was drafted to Malta, after which he went with his battalion to the front. “News of his death has been sent to his mother by Captain R. Henman in the following letter:— “It with the deepest regret that I have to inform you that your son was unfortunately killed this morning (Saturday) whilst observing the effect of artillery fire. I would like to offer you my sincerest sympathy, as well as that of the whole company. We shall miss your dear son most awfully, as his genial manner, his courage, and his willingness to do any work made him loved by everyone.” “Private Penson was a man of splendid physique, and was very popular amongst his comrades. Prior to joining the Royal Fusiliers was for nine years with the Army and Navy Stores, Westminster. He very a capable vocalist, as is testified by the fact that he won a scholarship in London for singing. He was 28 years of age, and has a brother who is in the Royal Field Artillery. “In the course of a letter to Private Penson’s father, Private F. E. Rhodes, one of his comrades, says:–– “I hardly know how to continue this letter. I feel his loss greatly. He was shot through the head, and died just before he reached the dressing station... I am sure his loss will be felt throughout the entire company, and the battalion, too. He was liked because of his splendid singing. I shall never forget my associations with him... I wish to tender to you, on behalf of his chums and men of all ranks of his regiment, their heartiest sorrow, and my heart goes out to you and all in this your great time of sorrow. I suppose there is one consolation in the thought that he willingly gave his life for his King and country — surely a noble death... May God rest his soul for evermore Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
