PENNY, Bertram Stephens
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Semaphore, South Australia, 6 May 1885 |
| Home Town: | Semaphore, Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College, University of Adelaide (Law), South Australia |
| Occupation: | Solicitor |
| Died: | Melancholia Depression attributed to war service, Keswick Military Hospital, South Australia, 3 November 1919, aged 34 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (General) |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Members of the Legal Profession & Students at Law WW1 Honour Board, Adelaide University of Adelaide WW1 Honour Roll, Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Jan 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Borda, Adelaide | |
| 28 Apr 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 5 Sep 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Adelaide, South Australia |
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Born at Semaphore on 6 May 1885 to Mr Charles James and Mrs Emma Penny. Bertram Stephen was the third son to the couple.
Educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide he was part of cadets there. Later he went on to study Law at the University of Adelaide. A keen sportsman, whilst attending university he was part of the Adelaide University Rowing team which enabled him to partake in the 1906 and 1907 Australian University Rowing Championships.
Working as a Solicitor in Adelaide, he was part of the Law Rifle Club. He was married to Ethel May Penny who lived at 58 South Terrace in 1915 with their young daughter, Ruth Gwendoline Penny, who was born on Saturday 11 February 1911.
Of special note is a court case that appeared in newspapers in February 1912 when Bertram Penny was accused by his wife of having "been cruel to her" on August 29 1911, throughout September and November 1911 and on 2 January 1912. He was also accused by his wife of having "neglected to provide reasonable maintenance for her since January" 1912. Representing himself in the court case, Mr Bertram Penny announced that he was ready to call 34 witnesses in his defence. Before this occurred, however, a private settlement was reached between husband and wife.
Sometime during late 1911 and early 1912 Mr Penny also suffered from a nervous breakdown which was accompanied by 'delusions of persecution.'
Bertram Penny enlisted on 14 June 1915 at Keswick. At the time was living away from his wife in Semaphore and still practicing law. Originally allocated to the 10th reinforcements of the 12th Battalion in July 1915 he applied for a commission in late July which he received on 16 September 1915 to the rank of Second Lieutenant. Upon receiving this he was transferred to take command of the 2nd Reinforcements of the 32nd Battalion and embarked at Adelaide on 11 January 1916 on HMAT Borda (A30).
Disembarking at Egypt on 9 February 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant and then later transferred to the 16th Battalion on 28 April 1916.
Then on 24 May 1916 he was taken to the 54th Casualty Clearing Station and admitted sick. The following day he still was not yet diagnosed and it was only on 27 May 1916 when he was transferred to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital at Ismailia at he was diagnosed with neurasthenia. On 2 June 1916 he was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital at Abbassia via the 5th Hospital train with neurasthenia. Here he underwent a medical review in which doctors found a 'history of nervous breakdown, accompanied by delusions of persecution; similar attacks had occurred 4 years previously.'
The medical board met and concluded that Lieutenant Penny was suffering from 'mental depression and melancholia; probably permanently incapacitated for military service.'
On 4 July 1916 he embarked upon HS Karoola for return to Australia with the medical reason being stated as 'Mental Depression & Melancholia.' After reaching Australia he was discharged from the AIF on 5 September 1916, classed permanently unfit.
Not much is known of his life after the war, however, on 3 November 1919 at Keswick Military Hospital he tragically died. His death was officially attributed to his war service and his widow and young girl were given a military pension. He was aged 35 and buried in his family vault at West Terrace (general) Cemetery.
Awarded:
British War Medal: 9948
Victory Medal: 9884
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