Penman Rowland Arthur 2/Lt

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Surname: Penman;

Forename(s): Rowland Arthur;

Initials: RA;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Previous Regiment: Inns of Court OTC;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 206 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 28 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 206 Coy;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 16-Jun-1917;

Other Data: Inns of Court OTC Register: 6/4/9256 2/2/1916. No.8 Off Cdt Bn 4/8/1916. MGC Cadet Sch. MGC 28/12/1916, 2Lt, kia 16/6/1917
with 206 Coy May 1917
arrived in 28 Coy 18/12/1916
photo GS archives ex-Maidstone Telegraph 30/06/1917

The Gravesend Coroner (Mr. G. Evans Pen-
man), who recently lost Ills nephew in action,
has been dealt another hard, blow; by tho re-
ceipt of the news that his younger brother,
Second Lieut. Roland Arlhub Penman, has paid
tho great sacrifice. The circumstances are
peculiarly pathetic. Three times the deceased1
triad to join up as a -ranker, but failed- each
time- Ho found no such difficulty in becom-
ing attached to ■ an O.T.C., and . of being
■ gazetted to the Machine Gun Corps. He
finished his training at Grantham, and had
been in Prance only seven or eight weeks when
he lost his life. The dramatic way in which
: he met his death is equally touching. An offi-
cer atf the Front, who writes to Mr. G- E. Pen-'
man expressing his deep sympathy, thus de-
scribes Second Lieut. Penman’s la.st moments:
“He was detailed to go with No. 1 Section on
certain operations, and whilst carrying these
out was hit in the face, and afterwards, while
.endeavouring to reach our line, - was sniped,
the bullet entering the back and proving fatal
at once, We were unable at the moment to
bring bis body back into our lines, and when
we reached him we found tbat death must have
been instantaneous. He and his runner had
previously been captured by some Boches, but
escaped, the wound in his face being received
from a bomb thrown by his captors. He had
not been long with this Company, hut I had
about three days aiii rest and over a fortnight
in the lino with him, and can assure you that
during that .time we formed a very close
friendship, and 1 feel I have not only lost a
most excellent officer, but a very good friend
from my section. His equipment was taken, off
by the Boches so I am unable to return his
revolver and holster.” ,
Second Lieut. Penman, who was 36 years of
age, was educated at the Gravesend Pro-
prietary Scool. He was articled to Messrs.
Baxter, Payne and Lepper,, land agents and
surveyors, and. Subsequently went into busi-
ness on lus own account at Goiildford Street,
Russell Squace, London. He was a clear
thinking, high principled gentleman, and was
very popular with all with whom he'came into
contact-." It .is one of 'the ironies of fate that
the very day the news of his death was re-
ceived came also the hews that his cousin and
close friend. Captain Percy Smith, had won
the Military Cross.;

Other Notes: PENMAN, Second Lieutenant, ROWLAND ARTHUR, 214th Coy. attd. 206th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 16th June 1917. Bay 10. Arras Memorial - Pas De Calais, France.

NB: killed serving with 206 Coy - war diary 15/6/1917;

Is photo available? Yes, see VMGCRA Patreon

END OF RECORD.

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