Orders, Decorations and Medals

An Omdurman charger’s D.C.M. group of three awarded to Lance Corporal Harold Penn, 21st Lancers, for helping to bring a wounded man out of action
Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Lce. Cpl., 21/Lancers [2nd Sept. 1898]); Queen’s Sudan 1896 (3613 Lc. Cpl., 21/Lancers); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (3613 Pte., 21st Lrs.) suspension re-fixed on the first two, edge bruises and contact wear, therefore nearly very fine (3)

Ex. J. B. Hayward Collection of Distinguished Conduct Medals, Hayward’s Gazette, May 1979.

D.C.M. awarded for the Battle of Omdurman, 2 September, 1898. Special instances of gallant conduct “At the Battle of Khartoum 2nd September 1898, assisting Private Ayton, 21st Lancers, to bring a wounded man out of action” (Ref Cavalry Record Office, Canterbury).

Harold Dunstan Penn was born at Ootacamund, Madras, in July 1876. He attested for the 21st Hussars as a Boy on 1 May 1893, at Secunderabad, being appointed Trumpeter four days later, reverting to Private in March 1894. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 11 June 1898, and Sergeant on 23 January 1901. Harold Penn rode with “A” Squadron in the historic charge at Omdurman, the squadron commanded by Major Finn with Lieutenant Winston Churchill as one of its Troop Commanders.

Of the seven D.C.M.’s won by the Regiment in this campaign, three went to “A” Squadron who played a prominent part in the charge. Private B. Ayton, with whom Penn rescued the wounded man, rode with “C” Squadron and was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.