PENNEFATHER Sydney Stephen

10/1318, Sergeant, 3rd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, WW1

28091 Captain, Service in WW2

CITATION

Military Cross

Gazetted 15 February 1919, p2384

Citation 30 July 1919, p9806

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Briastre on October 11th 1918.  By patrolling the banks of the River Selle for half a mile, he found a bridge and guided the remainder of the Company across after skilfully disposing his own Platoon on the east side to cover the crossing.  He then led two platoons forming the first wave of the attack over open country until held up by a nest of hostile machine guns; on which he collected and held his men together and disposed them in a defensive position to meet any counter-attack.  Throughout the operation he acted with marked skill and coolness.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 22 October 1917, p10869

Citation 26 January 1918, p1345

La Toquet, 20 August 1917.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in making daring personal reconnaissances of a hostile post.  In order to do this he twice swam a river, on the second occasion discovering the position ofv the enemy and taking possession of two rafts which were moored on their side.  On his return he constructed a ferry out of one of the rafts, and that evening took a party across the river and led them to the attack and capture of the hostile post.  This was effected after a stubborn fight, during which he himself was wounded.  His initiative and fine leadership on this occasion greatly inspired all ranks in his battalion

KNOWN AWARDS

Military Cross

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

New Zealand Territorial Service Medal

Gallipoli Medallion

Gallipoli Lapel Badge

NOTES

Born 23 November 1892, Wellington, New Zealand

Died 16 November 1982 Wellington, New Zealand

Buried Taita Lawn Cemetery, Naenae, Lower Hutt City, Wellington, New Zealand

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT