Regimental Number: M2554; R109047
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
John was born on May 29, 1911 to Robert and Christina Penman at Dalkeith, Scotland. He attended Dalkeith School where he completed Grade 8 and then finished Grade 10 at the local high school in 1925. Robert and John immigrated to Canada from Australia in 1929 and landed in Vancouver. Robert leased a ½ section of land on the south side of the Wapiti River approximately where Muskeg Creek flows into the river. (S½-14-71-3-W6) The flat was known for an abundance of wild raspberries for which many local residents would row across the river to pick. The Penman’s brought a herd of cattle by train to Grande Prairie and then drove them down the Wapiti River hill to Bezanson where they forded the river to the lease. John and his father built a fair-sized house on the lease while they lived there as the exiting cabin had burned down. The ranching operation was not too successful and John eventually worked and stayed at Marvin Jensen’s farm in the Glen Leslie area. When John was at Jensen’s, they dismantled the house on the lease and used the wood to put new floors and partitions etc. in Marvin’s house. Robert went to Jack Stark’s and stayed one winter. While there, he built the first covered cab on a grain box for Bert Ogden for hauling grain. As it had a built-in stove, it was much more comfortable than riding in the open. Robert moved back to Australia in 1939 and John moved to Calgary where he found work as a cabinet and floor installer for various employers.
John enrolled with the Non Permanent Active Militia (Regimental # M2554) on August 14, 1940 where he remained until February 25, 1941. On June 20, 1941 in Calgary, John enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force specifically for ground duties. He was transferred to Brandon, Manitoba for training followed by advanced training in St. Thomas, Ontario and then Halifax, Nova Scotia. John arrived in the United Kingdom in January 1942 where he was stationed until December 1944. John arrived back in Toronto and was eventually discharged on February 14, 1945. Leading Aircraftman John Penman served in Canada and the United Kingdom and received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defense Medal and General Service Medal.
John listed an address in Toronto as his address on discharge; however, it is unknown what happened to John after that.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Smoky River to Grande Prairie
Service File