James, Percy

James, Percy 

Military History:

Regiment:                               Royal Field Artillery

Rank:                                      Gunner

Service Number:                    131413

Date of Enlisting:                   9.12.1915

Date of death:                        26.2.1969

Cemetery/ Memorial:             Ashwell, Hertfordshire

UK Cemetery/Memorial:       St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour

Percy enlisted at Hitchin on 7th April 1916 with the Royal Field Artillery, No.6 Reserve Brigade Artillery (Territorial Force).  On 22 December 1917 he was embarked to Basrah. On 12th April 1918 he was embarked to France. On 10 December 1918 he joined the B/256 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery.  Percy survived the war and died in Ashwell on 26th February 1969.

Percy was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Family History:

Date of Birth:                2nd quarter 1893

Birth Place:                   Norton, Hertfordshire

Residence:                    Ashwell, Hertfordshire

Marriage:                      30.11.1913

Percy was born in the 2nd quarter 1893 at Norton, Hertfordshire, the eldest son of S. Albert and Martha (nee Kitchener) James. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell where they were living when Percy was about 10 years old.  The 1911 census shows him as a farm labourer.

Percy married Thirza Ann Waldock in Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 30th November 1913.  They had five children: Ivy Doris, Leslie Albert, Elsie Agneta, Mabel Winifred and Olive Margaret.

Percy died at 9 Station Rd, Ashwell on 26th February 1969.

Percy’s father was christened Squire Arthur James, shortened it to S. Arthur and eventually dropped the Squire altogether.

Commentary: