Military History

Percy is listed as both being killed in action and dying of wounds on 13th October 1914. Leamington Courier states that he lay out in the open for 3 days [see para 3 below] before being found however the Warwickshire Roll of Honour states that he was buried when his dug-out was hit while he was eating breakfast, he was recovered alive but later died in hospital (Field Ambulance?). The 3rd Battalion war diary does not offer any clarity and the following is taken from the Internet Archive Book The History of the Worcestershire Regiment in WW1.

"The Lys valley is not unlike the lower parts of our English valley of the Thames. The level countryside is broken by trees and hedges, so that views of any distance are rare. On the morning of October 12th the land was shrouded in a thick white mist. Through that mist the British brigades advanced cautiously, and it was not until midday that the 7th Brigade reached Lacouture. That village was held by French cavalry. Through the mist could be heard the muffled sound of firing in front. The French advanced troops were engaged with the enemy at Richebourg St. Vaast. Presently came a message from that village asking for help.

Lack of definite orders caused an unfortunate delay, and by the time that the 7th Brigade received permissicn to advance Richebourg St. Vaast was in the hands of the enemy. The leading troops of the Brigade encountered opposition west of the village and the advance was checked. The 3rd Worcestershire were in reserve to the Brigade and were ordered to make a turning movement against the enemy’s Ieft flank. The Battalion moved forward along the western bank of the little River Loisne, with the intention of attacking Richebourg St. Vaast from the south. But the enemy had similarly extended their flank. As the leading company neared a group of houses on the bank of the river their advance was checked by bursts of rapid.

In succession the companies deployed and advanced to the attack; but the ploughed fields were sodden and awkward to cross, the enemy’s position was difficult to ascertain, little cover was available and the leading platoons suffered many casualties. The advance came to a standstill and the companies dug in where they lay. The rest of the day was spent in a sharp exchange of fire until darkness fell (a).

All night the platoons lay out in the open. Careful watch was kept, and at dawn patrols went forward. The enemy had fallen back. The Worcestershire made their way across the little river and advanced on Richebourg St. Vaast. The weather was still misty, and the fire of the enemy skinmishers compelled caution. About 8 a.m. the leading companies pushed into the village. On the far side of Richebourg St. Vaast the advance was definitely held up by fire from hedges and loopholed houses. It was decided that a further advance was not possible until the 8th Brigade on the left had come up into line ; and all day (J) the Worcestershire lay on the east front of the village, sniping at intervals and digging in.

All the following day the Brigade remained entrenched around Richebourg St. Vaast without much incident save intermittent bombardment by the enemy; which bombardment killed, among others, the Divisional Commander, Major-General Hubert Hamilton. After darkness fell, word came of an enemy attack, and the whole line broke into a roar of musketry. Presently the racket dicd down, but sharp firing continued until late into the night.

Not till the afternoon of October 15th was it found possible again to advance. The gunners hitherto had been hampered by the misty weather and the difficult tlat country. Now at last they were able to make their weight felt, and after a sharp bombardment of the enemy’s positions the th Brigade moved forward. But the 14th Brigade on the right flank did not conform, and consequently the advance was soon stopped. The Worcestershire pushed forward about half a mile and then again were ordered to dig in. The day’s work was unsatisfactory and had cost the Regiment dear, for Captain T. H. Hughes, one of the best officers of the Battalion (c), had been killed".