Our interest in Charles Penson started a couple of years ago when we began a research project to trace all the missing names of the former pupils from our school that served and went on to die in WW1. Our older pupils were a part of this project which became known as Project 72. Once we had discovered all of the missing names, we had a special plaque designed and then installed outside the school which became part of the 'When in Sleaford' Town Trail.

In the list of names was Charles Penson- probably the most famous 'Alvey Boy' due to his fascinating yet tragic story .

Charles' father was Private James Ambrose Penson who was born in Sleaford in 1877 and died in the town in 1928 aged 51. He served in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WW1 and received two medals for his service: The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.

Charles was born in Sleaford in 1898. He joined the Navy in 1916, aged 18 and trained at Cranwell and became an Officers Steward 3rd Class with the Royal Navy Air Service, earning a British War Medal like his fathers.

Two years later he had risen to Aircraftsman 1st class and was posted to RAF Airship base Howden. It was whilst serving here that tragedy struck. On 24th August 1921 the R.38 rigid airship was performing patrol duties over the North Sea near Hull, watched by thousands of spectators. The airship suddenly folded and caught on fire before a large explosion caused windows to shatter in the area. 16 out of 17 Americans and 28 out of 32 Britons died in the accident, including Charles. He was just 23 years old.

The medals that Charles and his father James received during the War were sold and went to a private collector, never to be seen again until recently.

Mr Darren Howlett very kindly got in touch, to let us know that he was planning on selling the medals and he wanted to give the school the opportunity to buy them first, as they had such an association with our town and the school. The medals are regarded as highly desirable due to their connection with the Airship disaster and could fetch £2000 if sold at a specialist auction, but we could buy them for the same price he paid- £800. (We know that over 6 million war medals were issued after WW1 so similar medals are worth £80-£100 by themselves, however it is the connection to the airship, the father and son relationship and the background information that increases their value).

Our task is now to fundraise enough money to bring the medals back home and use them as a historical resource for the children of the school and future generations.