Samuel James Penkeyman was born in Liverpool, Lancashire in 1877, the son of William and Mary Jane Penkeyman. On 1 January 1900 he married Elizabeth Bridson at St John’s Wesleyan Chapel, Toxteth Park, Liverpool and in 1915 the family home was at 23 Olivedale Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool.
He served as a pantry steward in the Stewards' Department on board the Lusitania and he was killed when she was sunk. He was aged 38 years.
His body was not recovered and identified afterwards, so he is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, London.
Administration of his will was granted to his widow Elizabeth on 23 July 1915, and his effects amounted to £218-7s-6d (£218.37½).
In August 1915 he was officially discharged from the last voyage of the Lusitania
and his widow was paid the balance of wages owed to him, in respect of his service on board the
Lusitania from 30 April to 8 May, 24 hours after the vessel had gone down. The Liverpool and London War Risks Insurance Association Limited granted a yearly pension to Elizabeth Penkeyman which amounted to £46-1s-5d (£46.07) which was payable at the rate of £4-0s-2d (£4.01) per month.
References
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1881 Census of England and Wales, 1891 Census of England and Wales, 1911 Census of England and Wales, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Cunard Records, David Irving, Robert O'Brien, Probate Records, UniLiv. PR 13/24, PRO BT 334.