Family group:

A Second World War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Flight Sergeant J. S. Pennington, Royal Air Force

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (365560 F./Sgt. Joseph S. Pennington, R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (365560 L.A.C., R.A.F.); Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (365560 F./Sgt., R.A.F.), generally good very fine

The Great War campaign service group of five awarded to his father, Warrant Officer Class 1 G. Pennington, Army Ordnance Corps

1914-15 Star (02300 Condr., A.O.C.); British War and Victory Medals (02300 W.O. Cl. 1, A.O.C.); Army L.S.& G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Condtr., Ordce. Dept.); Delhi Durbar 1911, the third with officially re-impressed naming, the last two with severe edge bruising, good fine, the remainder very fine or better (5)

The Second World War campaign service group awarded to his brother, Leading Seaman A. J. Pennington, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Reserve

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (JX. 138418 Ch. B. 33569 L.S., R.F.R.), minor official correction to number on the last, very fine or better (15) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the R.F.C. and R.A.F. formed by Wing Commander Bill Traynor.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘This airman has been in charge of the Maintenance Flight since November 1940, when the Squadron was reformed. It was the first to be re-euipped with Halifax I aircraft and for a long period Flight Sergeant Pennington had done invaluable work in carrying out modifications. He has shown outstanding initiative in solving many of the initial difficulties concerned with a type of aircraft comparatively new to the R.A.F. He has displayed exceptional organising ability and keenness and has been very largely responsible for maintaining the very high degree of serviceability of the aircraft with which the Squadron is equipped.’

Joseph Squire Pennington, a native of Stroud, Kent, and a confirmed participant in the North West Frontier operations of 1935, is also verified as having been mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 11 June 1942 refers).

Alfred John Pennington, Joseph’s brother, was serving in M.T.B. 784 at the time of being recommended for his “mention” for services against enemy shipping off France in the period June-July 1944, an award that was duly published in the London Gazette of 12 June 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘For outstanding courage, skill and devotion to duty in successful torpedo attacks against heavily armed escort vessels on the nights of 9-10 June 1944 in M.T.B. 681 and on 4-5 July 1944 in M.T.B. 729. This rating, under difficult conditions and heavy gunfire, showed great coolness in getting his torpedoes away, and set a high example to other ratings.’