South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals | Le Touret Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 13 Aug 1914 in Le Havre, France | ~ | Napton on the Hill Church Plaque |
| Napton War Memorial Obelisk | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Napton Girls School |
| Winter Operations 1914-15 | 14 Mar 1911 in Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Cuinchy | ~ | |
- 1st Class Machine Gunner and Winner of the 1913 Machine Gun Cup
- Percy was originally buried 25 yards SW of the Railway Bridge over the Canal, 400 yards NW of Pont Fixe, Cuinchy. He grave was then lost or destroyed
over the next 4 years of fighting and his remains were never found and he is instead remembered on the Le Touret Memorial
Circumstances of Death
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Percy is listed as being killed in action on 24th January 1915 near Cuinchy. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for 23rd and 24th January are transcribed below. War Diary Entries 23rd & 24th23rd January 1915 – Cambrin: Battalion left Cambrin and went into the trenches at Cuinchy relieving the London Scottish. Trenches had not bee completed, Communication trenches bad some trenches full of water. Heavy rain all night. 24th January 1915 – Cuinchy: The Germans shelled the position most of the day with their heavy guns – most of the fire being dropped on Pont Fixe. Impossible for working parties to be engaged in improving trenches. Casualties: Killed – Other Ranks 1 [Percy] and Wounded – Other Ranks 6 Letter to Parents from Lt. T.A. TappLetter to Parents from Lieut. T.A. Tapp I was in charge of the machine-gun section for some months in France, and among a splendid team your boy and W. Wright stood out as the two most brilliant members; poor Wright was killed on 25 Jan., and I feel it will be impossible ever to replace him and your boy. They could neither have been more perfect as machine gunners or more brave, and always first to wish to take the place of danger. Your boy was killed on 24 Jan. by a chance shot in the head, just south of La Bassee Canal, where he was with the machine gun, in a very dangerous and important position. I had come to feel I should always be safe to be able to get up my guns under no matter was fire and have them brilliantly served as long as I had these two men with me. I had spent some months continuously with them and not only feel I have lost two irreplaceable men, but also good friends. Your son died doing his duty as he had always done, most gallantly. The author of the letter, Lt Tapp, became a Captain and on 21st October 1917 Captain Theodore Arthur TAPP Military Cross & Bar, 3rd Coy Machine Gun Guards, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele. The W. Wright referred to in the letter was Private 8753 Charles William WRIGHT, who was killed the day after Percy was killed and he also remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. |
| Personal & Family History |
1914
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
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| 23 Jun 1890 in Napton on the Hill | 16 Dec 1892 at Napton on the Hill |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Caleb William and Jane Rose Justice | Napton on the Hill |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - New Street, Napton | 1901 - School age |
| 1901 - High Street, Napton | 1911 - Private in Coldstream Guards |
| 1911 - The Guards Depot, Caterham | 1914 - Private in Coldstream Guards |