A man who was named in honour of a Midland soldier killed during the Second World War is making a heartfelt public appeal to trace the serviceman's surviving family members. Ernie Baker, now aged 77 and living in Belgium, is searching for relatives of Private Ernest E. Penn, a West Bromwich soldier who lost his life more than eight decades ago.
The Personal Connection to a Fallen Hero
Ernie's connection to Private Penn is deeply personal and stems from a promise made by his mother, Julienne Baker. Ernie's father, Norman Baker, served with the British Liberation Army and, after being demobilised, settled with his family in Birmingham in 1946. During that year, Julienne, a native of Belgium, gave French lessons to Lilian May Penn, the widowed mother of Private Ernest E. Penn, who resided at 146 Hallam Street in West Bromwich.
Julienne was profoundly moved by her pupil's tragic loss and made a solemn vow that her first son would carry the name of the fallen soldier. She honoured this promise after visiting Private Penn's grave at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Venray, Holland, prior to Ernie's birth in 1948.
The Search for Surviving Relatives
Despite four years of diligent efforts by volunteers associated with the Adoption War Graves CWGC Venray War Cemetery, no surviving relatives of Private Penn have been located. Records indicate that dozens of individuals with the surname Penn still live in West Bromwich and the broader West Midlands region, offering hope that family members may yet be found.
Ernie, who is a member of the Royal British Legion in Belgium, is now reaching out to anyone who might be related to the Penn family or who recognises the name. He shared with BirminghamLive: "My mother was so moved by Lilian's sad story that she made the promise that her first son would bear the name of her fallen son. She gave birth to me in July 1948 after moving back to Belgium and kept her promise."
Historical Context and Further Details
Private Ernest E. Penn served with the 1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment and was only 27 years old when he was killed during the Battle of Overloon in the Netherlands on October 18, 1944. This battle occurred as part of the aftermath of Operation Market Garden. Interestingly, Ernie noted that Private Penn's regiment was responsible for liberating his mother's home village and surrounding region in September 1944.
Ernie's parents, Norman and Julienne Baker, were engaged in late 1944 and married in June 1945. They returned to Birmingham, Norman's hometown, in early 1946 to manage his demobilisation, temporarily settling in west Birmingham, merely 12 miles from the Penn family home.
Private Penn was the son of Robert Edward Penn and Lilian May Penn. It is believed that his father also died during the war, possibly as a result of bombing. Ernie emphasised the urgency of the appeal, stating: "So far, the foundation's volunteers have been unable to locate any relatives. That is why we're making this appeal to find surviving relatives."
Anyone who believes they may be related to Private Ernest E. Penn or possesses any information that could assist in the search is encouraged to contact Ernie Baker directly by emailing ernie.baker@telenet.be.
