Son of Gas Company Secretary, John Harper Penney, Reginald Harper Penney, and his wife, Meggie Isabella Gilliers, joined the High School at the age of 8.

He was one of 10 children, of which three brothers ( Herbert Gillies, John Stanley and Reginald Harper) attended the High School and served in the war.

By the age of 13 Rginald was suffering failing health, and left the school to do some half-day work, and may later have gone to boarding school.

By the age of 21 he was working as a Cashier for an Insurance Company.

He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

While on active service, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of an accident, and died on 9-Nov-1917. He is buried in the Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d'Or Communal Cemetery Extension.