B/42738 Rifleman Harry Horace Pennell was born in Toronto, Ontario, on 23 Jun 1921, the son of Obidiah Pennell and Abigail Amanda Scobie. He had three brothers and one sister and completed grade 7.

Pennell worked as a labourer when he enlisted in North Bay on 1 August 1940, and was taken on strength by the 1st Battalion Dufferin and Haldimand Regiment. He
trained in Niagara and Nanaimo, British Columbia, and received several charges for being absent without leave and drunkenness through 1942.

On 14 August 1942, he was posted to the Headquarters of 17 Infantry Brigade for general duties. He went overseas and arrived in the United Kingdom on 4 April 1943.

On 20 August 1943, Pennell transferred to The Queen’s Own Rifles, landed with D Company on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, and fought through France, Holland and Germany.

Rifleman Pennell was killed in action on 16 April 1945, and is buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference XII. D. 15.