Jan 20, 1897

Born in Minden, Ontario to Henry and Annie (nee Graves) Penrose

Feb 20, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Minden, Ontario

Ø  Number 724153

Ø  Next of kin given as Henry Penrose, father, Minden, Ontario, Canada

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

In early July 1916, the battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Penrose joined the 21^st Battalion in Bully Grenay, France and was posted to No. 10 Platoon, “C” Company

Dec 16, 1916

Proceeded on the Bombing Course

Dec 25, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line west of Lens, France from the Bombing Course

Feb 16, 1917

While in the front line south-east of Mont St. Eloi, France, Private Penrose accidentally discharged his rifle and the bullet passed through his left wrist.  He was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

He was placed in confinement to await trial by Field General Court Martial

Feb 17, 1917

Transferred to the British West Riding 2/1^st CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Feb 19, 1917

Because the damage was very extensive, the lower 1/3^rd of his left arm had to be amputated

Mar 6, 1917

Transferred to the Special Hospital, Busnes, France

Tried by Field General Court Martial on the charge of:

Ø  Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he, in the trenches on or about 16^th February, 1917, negligently wounded himself in the left hand

He gave testimony that he picked up his rifle by the barrel and the rifle accidentally discharged.  He claimed that the safety was on and the rifle was defective.  A witness gave testimony that according to Battalion Standing Orders, there should not have been a live round in the chamber, but Private Penrose stated that he was unaware of that, and the men always had a round in the chamber when in the front line.

He was found guilty and sentenced to a loss of 14 days pay.  It is likely that leniency was shown due to the amputation that resulted from the injury.

The sentence of loss of pay was later rescinded by the Deputy Adjutant General but the guilty verdict remained

Mar 14, 1917

Transferred to the No. 18 Canadian General Hospital in Camiers, France

Apr 6, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 8, 1917

Transferred to the VAD (Volunteer Aid Detachment) Hospital, St. Edith Hall, Kemsing, Kent

Jun 12, 1917

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Ramsgate

Jul 21, 1917

Embarked the Hospital Ship Letitia in Liverpool

Aug 2, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

Aug 14, 1917

Medical Board in Quebec City notes that his left arm has been amputated above the wrist.  The board recommended that he be sent to a convalescent home in Toronto, Ontario

Aug 17, 1917

Admitted to the North Toronto Military Orthopedic Hospital, Toronto, Ontario

After being assessed, he was released to be treated as an Out Patient

Sep 1, 1917

Admitted to the North Toronto Military Orthopedic Hospital as an in patient

While here he was fitted for and received a Carnes Pattern Artificial Arm

Nov 4, 1917

Sentenced to 3 days CB (Confined to Barracks) and forfeited 3 days pay for being AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Nov 30, 1917

Sentenced to 168 hours detention and forfeited 15 days pay for being Absent Without Leave

Jan 31, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Minden, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o General Delivery, Toronto, Ontario

May 25, 1937

Married to Violet Pearl Baker in Toronto, Ontario