| Penton | Richard Hugh | | Surgeon Captain | PENTON, RICHARD HUGH, Captain, was born at Wroxham, Norfolk 25 April 1863, son of General John Penton and Rosa Alexandra Penton. He was educated at Norwich; joined the Army 7 February 1887, and was employed with the Egyptian Army 12 February 1892 to 28 February 1905 (Principal Medical Officer, 1898 to 1905), and became Captain, RAMC, in 1896. He served in the Expedition to Dongola, 1896, taking part in the operations of 7 June and 19 September; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 3 November 1896], received the Egyptian Medal with clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 17 November 1896]: "Richard Hugh Penton, Surgeon Captain, Army Medical Staff. In recognition of his services in the recent operations in the Sudan". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the GOC, Cairo, and presented 25 January 1897. He served in the Nile Expedition in 1898, being present at the battles of the Atbara and Khartoum (as Senior Medical Officer, Infantry Division, Egyptian Army, at the latter); was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 24 May and 30 September 1898]; promoted to Major 15 November 1898; received the 4th Class Osmanieh, the Medal and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal. In the Nile Expedition of 1899 he served as PMO, Egyptian Army, in the first advance against the Khalifa, received a clasp to the Egyptian Medal and the 3rd Class Medjidie. He was altogether four times mentioned in Despatches by Kitchener for services in the Sudan. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 28 July 1906. He served in the European War, as ADMS, 1st Indian Cavalry Division, during 1915, and subsequently as ADMS, Dunkerque; became Colonel 1 March 1915, and retired 22 May 1919. He was twice mentioned in Despatches during the European War, was created Commander of the Order of Avis (confirmed by the President of the Portuguese Republic, 1919), for service in France. He married, 7 August 1892, at Langham, Colchester, Kathleen Rosa, second daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Richard Spurgeon Green, and they had one son, John Hugh Barrow Penton.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Army Medical Service |
