John Pennycuick

Plaque erected by Sarah Pennycuick, widow of Brigadier John Pennycuick and mother of Alexander of the 24th Regiment, both of whom died in Battle of Chillianwala on 13 January 1849. Brigadier-General John Pennycuick CB KH (28 October 1789 – 13 January 1849) was an officer in the British Army who served in Java, Burma, Aden, Afghanistan and India. He was born in Soilzarie in Perthshire and was killed at the Battle of Chillianwalla in the Second Anglo-Sikh War.

Early military career Pennycuick joined the Edinburgh militia as an ensign in 1806, and entered the regular army the following year as an ensign in the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. He served in the Java Expedition in 1811, and was wounded in the siege of the fort at Meester Cornelis. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1812 and captain in 1821. He exchanged into the 47th Regiment of Foot in 1825 and fought in the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1825 to 1826.

Promotion to major He was promoted to major in 1834, but without a regimental posting, but joined the 17th Regiment of Foot as a major the following year. He became a Knight of the Royal Guelphic Order in 1837, and served in the First Anglo-Afghan War in 1839, including the Battle of Ghazni. He commanded the storming party in the capture of the Baluchi tribal fortress of Kalat on 13 November 1839. For his actions, he was promoted to brevet lieutenant-colonel in 1840, and was made a Commander of the Order of the Bath. He was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1840, and served near Aden in 1841.