South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 21 May 1915 in France | ~ | Alcester War Memorial |
| Studley War Memorial | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of Arras | August 1914 at Birmingham | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| near Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
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Percy is listed as being killed in action on 9 Apr 1917, the first day of the Battle of Arras. See below for the war diary transcription and a related article courtesy of, the Jeremey Banning website. Battalion War Diary 09 Apr 1917On the night of 8th/9th the Battalion moved up to its assembly trenches in preparation for the attack on the Harp on the following morning. Operational orders and Report on the Action are attached hereto. The weather at this time was exceptionally cold with some snow on the ground. While holding the line in the Harp after the attack by dint of hard labour and a complete lack of knowledge of engineering a medium Minenwerfer was dismantled and removed from its emplacement, fitted together again and placed on wheels with the aid of a few pat mills and HQ orderlies this was drawn triumphantly to Brigade HQ where it was duly handed over. During the afternoon on the 12th the battalion was relieved by 9th rifle brigade and went back to the old German line where it remained. END Click here for the Battalion Report on the Action Jeremy Banning ArticleThe 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps was part of 42nd Infantry Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. The divisional objectives for 9 April were to capture the strong German position known as the Siegfried Stellung, (Hindenburg Line) which the Germans had fallen back to throughout the month of March. The hinge of the ‘old’ German line and new Hindenburg Line was the village of Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines. South of the village lay the 14th Division’s objective, the southern part of The Harp, a formidable position some 1000 yards long and 500 yards wide, full of tangled field defences. Along with Telegraph Hill to its immediate south its dominant position enabled German defenders to fire in enfilade northwards up Observation Ridge and southwards to Neuville Vitasse; its capture was absolutely critical.  An initial assault was to be made against the southern portion of ‘The String’, a trench running down the length of The Harp, by the 5th Ox and Bucks Light Infantry and 9th King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Once captured the 5th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry would then pass through or ‘leapfrog’ the two battalions to capture the second objective close to the Blue Line running south from the rearward face of The Harp down the Hindenburg Line. Nearly seven hours after the initial advance and with these objectives taken B & D Companies of the 9th Rifle Brigade, under the command of Captain Buckley were to leave their positions in and around the old German front line to clear the ground between the Blue and Green lines within the Brigade boundaries.They would also occupy an outpost line north east of the Tilloy – Wancourt road (now the D37). Considering the magnitude of the day’s fighting the Battalion war diary gives scant information about the work completed other than to record the final objective was gained by 1.30pm with one hundred prisoners and two machine guns captured. Casualties sustained were Captain D.E. Bradby killed , 2/Lt H.M. Smith wounded and fifteen Other Ranks wounded. Despite differing figures from those provided in Brigade records it is clear that losses amongst the 9th Rifle Brigade were extremely light when compared to other battalions within 42nd Brigade. Percy was killed during these events.
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| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 7 May 1891 at Alcester | 26 Jul 1891 at Alcester |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Hubert George and Eliza | Alcester |
| Wife | Marriage Date/Place |
| Emily Norah Baylis nee Bennett | Oct Qtr 1916 at Alcester |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - Bleachfield, Alcester | 1911 - Cartman |
| 1901 - Evesham Street, Alcester | |
| 1911 - Bleachfield Street, Alcester | |
| 1915 - New Road, Studley |