| William Penman | |
| Birth Name: | William Mitchell Penman |
| Birth Date: | 12 May 1917 |
| Birth Place: | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Death Place: | Rothwesten, Germany |
| Ru Position: | Full Back |
| Amatyears1: | - |
| Amatteam1: | Royal HSFP |
| Amatyears2: | - |
| Amatteam2: | United Services |
| Amatyears3: | - |
| Amatteam3: | RAF |
| Ru Province1: | F. J. C. Moffat XV |
| Ru Provinceyears1: | 1938 |
| Ru Province2: | East of Scotland District |
| Ru Provinceyears2: | 1939 |
| Ru Provinceapps2: | 1 |
| Ru Provincepoints2: | 0 |
| Repteam1: | Scotland |
| Repyears1: | 1939 |
| Repcaps1: | 1 |
| Reppoints1: | 0 |
| Repteam2: | Barbarians |
| Repyears2: | 1939 |
| Repcaps2: | 3 |
| Reppoints2: | 19 |
William Penman (12 May 1917 – 3 October 1943) was a Scotland international rugby union player. He was killed in World War II when he, serving as a captain of a Lancaster bomber, was shot down over Kassel.[1] [2]
He was educated at the Royal High School of Edinburgh and then played for Royal HSFP.[3]
He played for United Services.[4]
He joined the RAF in 1935. He played and captained the Royal Air Force Rugby Union team.[1] [5]
He played for the Scottish selector F. J. C. Moffat's XV against Watsonians in 1938. This was an annual match against Watsonians and looked on as an unofficial trial match.[6]
He played for East of Scotland District against West of Scotland District on 23 December 1939.[7]
He was capped once for in 1939, in a match against Ireland.[1] [2] At the time, he was the first Royal HSFP player to be capped for 4 seasons, and the first Royal HSFP player to be capped at Full Back.[8]
He played 3 times for the Barbarians, all in 1939.[9]
He was a Wing Commander in the 61st squadron of the RAF.[10]
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Cross.[11]
He was shot down in a night raid. His Lancaster bomber crashed at Rothwesten, north east of Kassel.[12]
He is commemorated at Hanover War Cemetery.[13]
On his death, his widow was left with a 10 month old daughter.[14]