680163 CPL. G. H. PENNINGTON.  R.F.A.

 

George Henry Pennington was born on 22 September 1894 in Lancaster and baptised at Lancaster St Mary on 21 October.  His father was William Henry Pennington (b. 1865 in Lancaster), a house painter.  His mother was Elizabeth Crompton (b. 1868 in Myerscough).  William and Elizabeth were married in 1890 and they had 6 children though only three survived: George, Thomas (b. 1897) and Stanley (b. 1902).  In 1911, the family was living at 88 Addlecroft, Scotforth, Lancaster.  George had started work as an apprentice house painter, presumably working with his father.

 

Both George and his father were probably in the Territorials before the War, in fact some military records show them with the same service number, 1256, though others show William with service number 1205.  Attestation papers exist for William showing that he enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery on 3 June 1913, claiming that he was 35 years old, when in fact he was 47!  He was kept on when War broke out and was posted to “B” Battery of 276 Brigade, landing with them in France on 30 September 1915 (by which time he was 50).  He was given the new service number 680234 and he was promoted to Sergeant on 10 August 1915.  276Bde was part of the Divisional Artillery for 55th Division, however in March 1916 William was transferred to 1205th Brigade which formed part of 3rd Provisional Brigade which was engaged in coastal defence at Salthouse on the Norfolk coast.  William was discharged as no longer physically fit for military service on 24 September 1917.

 

Meanwhile, his son George had also enlisted, probably also with “B” Battery, 276 Brigade but he remained at home when the Brigade went to France.  He was assigned service number 680163 and at some stage transferred to “C” Battery of 175th Brigade. He was also promoted to Corporal. 175Bde formed part of the Divisional Artillery of 34th Division.  In 1917, they were engaged in various phases of the Arras Offensive (First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the Battle of Arleux), then in fighting at Hargicourt (August) and also in the Third Battles of Ypres (fighting for the Broenbeek, 13-23 October 1917).  George died on 3 November 1917 of wounds received in action.  He was 23 years old.

 

Rank:  Corporal

Service No:  680163

Date of Death:  03/11/1917

Age:  23

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “C” Bty, 175th Bde.

Grave Reference:   II. A. 1.

Cemetery:  SOLFERINO FARM CEMETERY

​

​