Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Bn.

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Bn.

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Warrant Officer Alfred Penfold was the husband of Annie Penfold, of Waterside, Londonderry. He also had daughters and two sons.

Over Belfast and other places in Northern Ireland there was an air raid on the 16th of April 1941 starting at 22:45. It lasted until 4:30 on the 17th

During the raid, an aerodrome in Newtownards[1] was attacked with incendiary bombs and high explosives. One of the H.E. bombs hit the Headquarters of “A” company, 70th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

As a direct result of the explosions and subsequent fires, 10 were killed and 15 injured in this one incident. One of the killed was Warrant Officer Alfred Penfold. Two others would die of wounds before the 21st of the same month. He had only re-joined the service seven months prior to his death.

He was buried from his home on Sunday the 20th of April at 2:30pm.

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Battalion was created for young soldiers who had volunteered for service but had yet to reach the age of conscription (20). It was disbanded in 1943 when the age limit was lowered (18).

Date of Death: 16/04/1941 (Aged 36)

Service: Warrant Officer Class II, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Bn.

Service Number: 6392875

Burial Location: Glendermott Church of Ireland Churchyard and New Cemetery, Sec. H. Grave 846B.


[1] Newtownards is a town, 10 miles east of Belfast.

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