Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Edward Pennington a wool sorter, born 1855 in Manningham, Yorkshire, and his wife Millicent Pennington (nee Pigott, married on the 24th May 1892 in St. Peter’s Church, (Bradford Cathedral), Bradford, Yorkshire), a wool yarn reeler, born 1872 in Bradford, Yorkshire. Percy was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Bradford, he had a half blood sibling, Fred, a shoe and slipper trade polisher, born 1886, in Bradford, and his full blood siblings were, Arthur, born in the 2nd quarter of 1896, Edward, born 1899 and May, born 1900, the latter three siblings were all born in Bradford, and Kate, born 1901 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, also residing in the family home was Percy’s maternal grandmother Ellen Pigott, a shoe trade jobber, born 1843 in Blythe, Nottinghamshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 25, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Percy was employed as an apprentice moulder and was residing in the family home at 33, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a wool sorter, his mother and siblings, Arthur, an apprentice moulder, Edward, a schoolboy, May, a schoolgirl, Kate, a schoolgirl and Norman, born 1911 in Melton Mowbray, also residing with the family was his maternal grandmother, Ellen Pigott. His younger brother Arthur also fell in action.
Percy enlisted into the Territorial Force to serve a 4 year engagement on the 18th March 1913 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as St. John’s, Bradford, Yorkshire and his age as 18 years and 8 months, he gave his trade or calling as iron moulder and his employer as the Holwell Steel Works. He gave his place of residence as 33, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray. He gave his father George, mother Millicent, brothers George, Arthur and Edward Pennington, all of 33, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray and Harry Pennington of Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10 ½ inches in height, and he had a chest measurement of between 37 and 39 inches. His physical development was described as good. He was pronounced fit for Territorial Force service. His record of service began when he joined the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Territorial Force) as a Private, service number 1528 on the 18/3/13. Embarked at Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 26/2/15. Disembarked at Le Havre, France on the 27/2/15. Killed in action in the field, mine explosion on the 23/7/15. A summary of his service records: Melton Mowbray, 18/3/13 – 27/2/15, 1 year 346 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 23/7/15, 146 days. Total service 2 years 127 days. The following information was provided on the 29th October 1919 by Percy’s father George on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, George Edward Pennington of 40, Mill Street, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, Millicent Pennington of 40, Mill Street, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Edward Pennington, age 21 and Norman Pennington, age 9, both of 40, Mill Street, Melton Mowbray. Half blood brothers of soldier, George Pennington, age 40 of 84, -?- Terrace, Bradford, Yorkshire and Harry Pennington, age 38 of 3, Columbia Terrace Place, Blythe, Northumberland. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mary Pennington, age 20 and Kate Pennington, age 19, both of 40, Mill Street, Melton Mowbray. Percy was awarded the 1914 – 15 Star, British and Victory Medals.
The War Diary records: 23 July-15 - ZILLEBEKE. At 6.55pm small mine exploded under enemy’s gallery opposite A.1. At 7.00pm exploded large mine under enemy’s salient. At 7.01pm artillery opened fire on crater and enemy supports. The redoubt in salient completely destroyed. Enemy’s casualties estimated at 40. At 9.22pm enemy exploded large mine in front of trench 5.B. destroying portions of parapet and inflicting 40 casualties. Enemy trench mortared the crater, thus hindering work of rescue and of linking crater with line of defences. 2nd Lt’s R. C. LAWTON, E. E. WYNNE and N. C. MARRIOTT having arrived from England have been taken on the strength of the Battn. Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 17th Division were attached to the Battn for instruction during the last tour of duty. This remedied to some extent the wastage in the Battn which at one time contained only 9 Coy officers and 474 trench rifles.
On Friday July 30th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON TERRITORIALS MINED” – HEAVY LOSSES – FIVE MELTONIANS KILLED. OTHERS WOUNDED AND MISSING. The Melton Territorial’s belonging to the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment evidently suffered severe losses in an engagement last Friday. The following is an extract of a letter received this week by the parents of a Melton Territorial:- “On Friday night we blew up about 100 yards of the German trenches, and out of spite for that they blew up our trench. The mine was short, but it buried nearly all of us, our platoon suffering the worst. I am afraid there are over a dozen of our platoon killed, and several injured. I was buried about four feet deep, and it took about an hour to get me out. I am now in hospital, having been shaken up a great deal. Luckily Doll that night was with No.8 platoon, so escaped. I think I shall be alright again after about a week. I feel rather stiff all over my body.” The brother of the above writer, in the course of a subsequent letter says:- “I am beastly sorry to say that Jim has been very slightly wounded. Our trench was blown up by German mines, and I am afraid that only a very few of No.5 platoon are alive unhurt. Jim was the last to be got out alive, and he was buried for about two hours. I think he is only badly bruised, but he is still in hospital, though I don’t think it will be long before he comes back to us. We were all pleased to see how plucky he was over it. As soon as he was uncovered he said to Charlie Boulger, who got him out. “What cheer, Jerry: I never remember being buried alive before,” and when the stretcher bearers were taking him down he told them it would be another bar on his medal. We were both very lucky. I was transferred for the time being to another platoon to make it up, and was about 60 yards away when it went up. Jim was very lucky to get off almost unhurt. I am afraid it will be a sad day for Melton when the news gets there, as many were killed, but I won’t mention names, as I dare say their people have not heard yet. We blew their trench up twice, so I think we had the best of it. The night after they trench mortared us, and did some damage to the 4th, and most of yesterday they whizz-banged us, but only knocked the parapet down once, and did no damage. Last night we came out. Yesterday we saw an air duel from our lines, in which the Englishman was successful, and brought his opponent down not far from our headquarters. We saw the machine on the way home last night. I hear Playfair from our school has been killed in an air duel. The Battalion has been congratulated by the General for the way in which the men acted when the mine went up.” Two of the victims were Pte. Arthur Rogers, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rogers, 12, Bentley Street, Melton Mowbray, and Pte. P. Pennington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pennington, 33, Burton Street. The news was conveyed in a letter which Mr. and Mrs Rogers received from another son in the same company, in which he says:- “I now send you these few lines to let you know that I am still in the best of health, and going on well up to now, but I am sorry that I have got to break this sad news to you: Arthur was killed last night, the 23rd July. He died with several more of his best friends and mates from Melton, but I expect you have received this sad news before you get this letter from me. I expect he will be buried to-night, and I shall go and see him put away. I have made a little cross with various greens and a few wild flowers, but I will let you know more next time I write. I feel very upset to-day, for I shall miss him very much, but I can truly say, he died doing his duty up to the last minute. You can tell George that his pal P. Pennington has gone as well. He was killed the same time as Arthur.” Mr. Pennington has since received the following letter from Officer Commanding the B Company with reference to the death of his son:- “26/7/15. Dear Sir, - It is with the deepest regret that I have to write to inform you of the death of your son Pte. Pennington on Friday last. The loss of your son is a great loss to his company. Both I and his company liked your son, and thought a good deal of him. He was at the time doing his duty in the trenches when the enemy exploded a mine under our trench, and your son was, I believe, killed instantly, and could not have suffered any pain. He was buried behind the firing line by his comrades, and I am sure as long as we are in this district his comrades will look after his grave, which is carefully marked with a cross. The only consolation we have is that he died nobly doing his duty and defending his trench. Kindly accept my sympathy, and also that of the whole of my Company at the loss of your son. Yours Faithfully, J. Griffiths, Captain, O.C. B Company. 5th Leicestershire Regiment.” Mr. and Mrs. Pennington have three other sons serving with the colours – one in France, and two at Stockwood Park, Luton. Similar letters have been received by the relatives of Ptes. W. Ibbotson, A. Pick, and Simpson, all of Melton Mowbray, who lost their lives at the same time. In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading: “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. PENNINGTON. – Killed in action, July 23rd 1915, Pte. P. Pennington, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, aged 21 years. “England expects every man to do his duty.” In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington wish to thank all kind friends for their sympathy in their sad bereavement.
On Saturday 31st July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” - “CASUALTIES IN THE 5th LEICESTER’S.” – Five Melton Men Killed – The parents of five Melton Territorial’s, Privates J. A. Rogers, A. Pick, Simpson, Ibbotson, and P. Pennington, have received letters from the officer commanding B Company 5th Leicester’s announcing that their sons had been killed, and that they had been buried by their comrades behind the firing line.
On Friday July 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – PENNINGTON. – In loving memory of Private Percy Pennington, 5th Leicesters, killed in France, July 23rd, 1915. For many years our family chain. Was closely linked together. But oh that chain is broken now. Two links have gone forever. One sleeps not in his native land. But ‘neath some foreign skies; Far from those that loved him best. In a hero’s grave he lies. From mother, father, brothers and sisters.
PENNINGTON. – In loving memory of Private Percy Pennington, 5th Leicesters, killed in France, July 23rd, 1915. You are not forgotten, Percy darling. Nor ever will you be; As long as life and memory lasts. I will remember thee. From his sweetheart, Ruth.
On Friday July 20th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. PENNINGTON.- In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. P. Pennington 2/5 Leicester Regt., who was killed in action July 23rd 1915. We think we see his smiling face, as he bade his last goodbye. And left his home forever in a distant land to die. But the hardest part is yet to come, when the heroes all return. And we miss among the cheering crowds, the face of our dear son. He bravely answered duty’s call. He gave his life for one and all. From Mother, Dad and Family.
On Friday July 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. Pennington. – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. Percy Pennington, 1/5th Leicestershire Regt., killed in action July 23rd, 1915.
Could we have raised his dying head.
Or heard his last farewell.
The grief would not have been so hard.
For us who loved him well.
His cheerful smile, his loving smile.
Are pleasant to recall.
He had a kindly word for each.
And died beloved by all.
From Mother, Dad, Sisters and Brothers.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday August 6th, 1915

TERRITORIALS MINED

FIVE MELTON MEN KILLED


By the explosion of a mine B. Company 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Territorials) has sustained 38 casualties in killed, wounded and missing. They were defending an important position within 300 yards of the German firing line, and exploded two mines which blew up 100 yards of the enemy’s trenches. “In revenge for that,” writes a Melton Territorial, “they blew up our trench. The mine was short, but it buried nearly all of us, our platoon suffering the worst. I am afraid there are over a dozen of our platoon killed and several injured. I was buried about four feet, and it took over an hour to get me out. I am now in hospital, having been shaken up a great deal.”

The parents of five Melton Territorials – Privates J. A. Rogers, A. Pick, Simpson, Ibbotson, and P. Pennington – have received letters from an officer commanding B. Company, announcing that their sons have been killed, and they were buried behind the firing line.

Another letter states that the battalion were heartily congratulated by the general on the way in which the men acted when the mine exploded. The men worked their hardest to release their comrades who were buried beneath the debris, and also held the position until supports came to their assistance.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 7/10/2017