Pte
William Blackwood Penman
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1883 |
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Place of birth: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Melyn, Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Variety Artist |
Army information
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Country: Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 38299 |
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Enlistment date: 00/11/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Derby, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), 12th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 25/04/1918 |
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Place of death: Bois de Wytschaete Wytschaete, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 35 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: Panel 14 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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British War Medal Medal |
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Military Medal Medal — 26/06/1917 |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
William Blackwood Penman was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1883. His father was a tailor. He had three brothers and four sisters. William earned a living as a variety artist and on 3 January 1914 he married Mildred Matilda Manges with whom he had a daughter, Jean. At that time, he was living in Melyn, Neat, Glamorgan in Wales. In November 1916, he was conscripted into the British Expeditonary Force in Derby. He was assigned to the 12th Battalion of The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), part of the 27th Brigade of the 9th (Scottish) Division. On 5 June 1917, the 11th and 12th Battalions Royal Scots were deployed at the Battle of Arras in France. Private Penman was quoted in the report: "Some of the men, including 38299 Pte Penman, displayed a very gallant attitude throughout the attack, encouraging the others and conveying messages, showing great coolness in helping the wounded." For this, he was awarded the Military Medal on 26 June 1917.
In March 1918, German troops carried out a massive attack on the Western Front. The 12th Battalion Royal Scots returned to Flanders. On 25 April 1918, the 12th Battalion was near Black Cottage on the Wijtschaete Wood. Virtually on the craters of June 1917. An attack on Messines Ridge to retake the heights was delayed by renewed German attacks. A heavy bombardment of 9th Division's positions was followed by a fierce attack by German infantry. The German barrage was so heavy that 2 platoons of the 12th Battalion were completely destroyed. Because the forward trenches were not so heavily shelled, the 12th Battalion was still able to hold off the first German attackers. But not for long. Renewed attacks and the capture of Kemmelberg on their right flank forced them to give up their positions. However, the battalion was caught in speed and, together with part of the 6th King's Own Scottish Borders, encircled and surrounded. Only a handful were able to escape.
The losses were chilling then: 1 officer and 3 men killed, 3 officers and 54 men wounded and as many as 14 officers and 502 soldiers missing and captured. Private William Blackwood Penman, aged 35 and a holder of a Military Medal, was one of the missing and was later declared dead. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 14.
In March 1918, German troops carried out a massive attack on the Western Front. The 12th Battalion Royal Scots returned to Flanders. On 25 April 1918, the 12th Battalion was near Black Cottage on the Wijtschaete Wood. Virtually on the craters of June 1917. An attack on Messines Ridge to retake the heights was delayed by renewed German attacks. A heavy bombardment of 9th Division's positions was followed by a fierce attack by German infantry. The German barrage was so heavy that 2 platoons of the 12th Battalion were completely destroyed. Because the forward trenches were not so heavily shelled, the 12th Battalion was still able to hold off the first German attackers. But not for long. Renewed attacks and the capture of Kemmelberg on their right flank forced them to give up their positions. However, the battalion was caught in speed and, together with part of the 6th King's Own Scottish Borders, encircled and surrounded. Only a handful were able to escape.
The losses were chilling then: 1 officer and 3 men killed, 3 officers and 54 men wounded and as many as 14 officers and 502 soldiers missing and captured. Private William Blackwood Penman, aged 35 and a holder of a Military Medal, was one of the missing and was later declared dead. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 14.
Sources 8
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12 Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1773/2_03). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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12 Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1773/2_04). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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1901 Scotland Census (National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh (NRS), Reels 1-446). https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Service Medal and Awards Rolls, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 329). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Ewing, John,The Royal Scots 1914 - 1919, (London, Oliver and Boyd,Tweeddale Court, 33 Paternoster Row, E.C.,1925), 631-634. Sources used |
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Glamorgan Baptisms, Marriages and Buriels, Wales, Archives & Records Council Wales. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Soldier' Effects Records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333). https://www.nam.ac.uk/ Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1636578 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=f7dbc0e9-19a3-43c0-945e-c09b5d43b8f9 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3468127 |