PENN, Joseph

Joseph Penn was born in Lye and was the son of William and Mary Penn of 36 Union Street, Lye. He was called up to the Training Reserve, probably in 1917, and sent to the 1st Battalion of the Shropshire Light Infantry in the 6th Division early in 1918. They had fought at Cambrai in November 1917 and were still stationed nearby at Lagnicourt, close to the Hindenburg Line. On the 21st March they were facing the long expected German Spring offensive and were in action early on this day, advancing to face the enemy but quickly forced back. They suffered very heavily on the next day as the enemy advance gathered momentum and Private Joseph Penn was one of many who were killed in action on the 22nd March. He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Arras, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.