Percy is listed as being killed in action on 20 Sep 1917, the war diary for that day is transcribed below along with a Newspaper Obituary:
War Diary Entry
Trenches - Ravine Wood - Thur 20.9.17:
57th Inf Bde took part in an attack on a wide front. Bttn was in Brigade Reserve. Zero was t 5.40am. At zero plus 29 (when the leading platoons of the attacking Battalions where do to reach the Green Line). The Bttn moved forward to the support line within the Bde boundaries. Coys were ordered to take up following positions approx: A Coy I.36.g.9.7½ to 7.4½; C Coy I.36.g.7. 4½ to Klein Zillebeke; D Coy Klein Zillebeke to about I.36.c.9.7½; B Coy trench running through wood from I.36.g.0.4 to g.4.7. Bttn’s HQ shared HQ of 8/Glous R at I.36.g.2.3 (Klein Zillebeke).
A number of casualties were sustained during this move forward through enemy shelling. Coys we're not called upon to support any of the attacking battalions and reminded in or very near their original positions. Enemy shelling was fairly heavy, particularly near the BN HQ, and the number of direct hits were obtained on Coy positions. The night was quiet and Russian parties sustained no casualties.
Casualties
Killed: 2nd Lieuts C Bostock and AE Brazier and 20 OR (including Harry)
Died of wounds: RSM EJ Pratt
Wounded: Lt G.H Hammond and 64 OR
Missing: 7 OR
END
Newspaper Obituary
Kenilworth Advertiser - 6th October 1917
DEATH OF CORPORAL P.J. SHIRLEY - Mr and Mrs John Shirley of the Malt Shovel, Stonebridge, Meriden have just received the sad news of the death of their second son Percy John Shirley who joined the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry soon after the war broke out and was shortly afterwards transferred to the Machine Gun section R.W.R. He was wounded early in 1916 and was promoted to Corporal 10 months ago
Corporal Shirley was killed by a shell on September the 20th at 8:00 PM when some of his comrades including the Platoon Sergeant were also killed.
Several letters have been received by his parents from his officers including Captain Martin who writes “I have just lost a good non-commissioned officer for whom I had the greatest respect; he was the most conscientious and keen in his work, always cheery and Willy and he will be very much missed by myself and many others. I offer you my deepest sympathy and the members of your family, for, I have no doubts you lost a good son.
Corporal Shirley was 25 years of age.
