Angel from the Great War Medal of Arthur Henry Pennance b. 7 March 1895 and killed in action in Arras, France 27 June 1915. He was the only Pennance to be killed in the First World War and although he has no grave, his name can be seen on the memorial at Faubourg-d'Amiens cemetery which lies south of the town of Arras in France. His name also appears on the war memorial on Crewe square.

This page is intended as a memorial garden to those family members who have lived and gone before us. It is to celebrate their lives and achievments. It is because if you take your memories with you, they are gone for good. If you share them here, we are all the richer for it and our ancestors get a good laugh t'boot.

In honour of his sacrifice then, let's start with the above mentioned Arthur Henry Pennance. For links to obituaries/memoirs of other Pennance Family members see the relevant links below. If you wish to have included any memoirs of your own family members, please post/e-mail to me and I will see they get included.

Arthur Henry Pennance b.7 March 1895 d.28 June 1917

FROM THE CREWE CHRONICLE 7 JULY 1917 - DEATH OF A CREWE SOLDIER KILLED BY A BOMB FROM AN AEROPLANE Information has been received by Mr F G Pennance of South Street, Crewe of the death on active service of his son, Private Arthur Pennance. He was 21 years of age in March. He joined the army on the 9th December last year, and went on active service in May of this year with the Machine Gun Corps. Prior to enlistment he was a train reporter on Crewe Station. He is one of eight brothers, sons of Mr F G Pennance, two are in the army and the others are on work of national importance.

As a boy, Private Arthur Pennance attended the Wesleyan School, Earle Street, Crewe and was a member of the No.4 branch of the NUR. The last time he was in Crewe was at his mothers funeral, when seven of Mr Pennance's sons were present, the eighth being unable to obtain leave.

SYMPATHY FROM OFFICERS AND MEN - Private Arthur Pennances Company Commander writing to his father on June 28th says "Dear Sir, - I regret to have to inform you that your son was killed yesterday morning 27th June. His death was caused by a bomb from an enemy aeroplane. Private Pennance was at work with his friend, Private Quimby, outside their dugout, and the bomb exploded wounding him in three places. Poor fellow, he asked to be taken to the dressing station, but the medical officer who was on the spot pronounced his wounds fatal, and he died in a few minutes after being wounded. I am very glad to be able to tell you that he was in no pain whatever. Your son was buried last night by the chaplain at the British cemetery in the rear of his own line. My section join with me in offering my deepest sympathy with you in the loss of your son, which has caused us the loss of a true comrade".

Private Quimby in a letter received at Crewe on Tuesday morning says....."I am writing these few lines to break the sad news to you of your sons death, which occurred yesterday the 27th. He was hit by a piece of shell nd died instantaneously. I was by his side when he passed away. The last words he said were 'take me to the dressing, Bill'. It has upset me very much indeed, and I express my deepest sympathy with you".

Madeline Pennance nee Kelly (4 April 1914 to 19 May 1998)