Penn was born at Lyminster, Sussex in 1878. He spent some years as Secretary of the training ship "Mercury" and later went to serve Canon F. Dormer Pierce as secretary. He enlisted in the British Army early in World War I, serving in the ranks of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (R.A.O.C.). He was recommended for a commission by his Commanding Officer and was attached to H.Q. staff of the 67th (Home Counties) Division. He was posted to the North Russian Expeditionary Force as D.A. Director of Ordnance Services and later became Chief Ordnance Officer. For services rendered there, he was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the O.B.E. (Military). He was also awarded the Order of St. Anne and the order of St. Stanislaus by the provisional Russian government. After demobilization, he served as a Major in the Regular Army Reserve. He worked on the staff of several clergymen, ending with the Bishop of Dover. He also acted as Chairman of the Canterbury and Alford Aid Society for some twenty years.
From the description of Henry Albert Penn fonds. [1916-1920]. (University of Victoria Libraries). WorldCat record id: 688596189
