Eversden, Percy Charles

Percy was born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 26 December 1884, the third son of Julius James and Emma (nee Harradine) Eversden. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

Percy enlisted with the 3/5^th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment on 16 June 1915 in Alfreton, Derbyshire. He saw active service in France as a gunner. On the 23 August 1916 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, the Heavy Branch of which was the first to use tanks in combat and subsequently turned into the Tank Corps, later called the Royal Tank Regiment. Percy was a mechanic and chauffer, and in November 1917 was appointed a 1^st class tank mechanic. He was promoted to corporal in November 1918. Percy survived the war and returned to his family in Derbyshire.

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

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

Prior to joining the army Percy was an under gardener at Carnfield Hall, Alfreton, living in The Cottage on the property.

He married Mary Emma Cupit on 1 June 1908 in Alfreton, Derbyshire. They had three children, Julius John born 26 July 1908 but who died aged 2 in 1911, Winifred Mary born 1910, and William Douglas born on 10 June 1917.

Percy died at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire on 7 October 1959.

Percy’s brothers Harry and (Harvey) Cecil survived the War but William and Julius were killed in action.