Name
Percival James Upchurch
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/06/1918
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
68326(*1)
Royal Horse Artillery
'B' Battery, 15th Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CINQ RUES BRITISH CEMETERY, HAZEBROUCK
F. 12.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Saviour's Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Percy was born in 1891 in Hitchin and christened on 15 Sep 1893 in Hitchin. His parents were James and Eliza Elizabeth Upchurch and (née).
In 1901 the family were living at 4 Crispin Terrace, Union Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: James (33) and Eliza (38), with James working as a ironmonger’s carter. They had two children Percy James (9) and Harold (7).
By 1911 the family had moved to 43 Radcliffe Rd, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with James working as a engineer’s carter. The census recorded they had been married for 20 years with 2 children, both living. Both children were present with Percy at 19 a moulder’s apprentice.
Before joining the army he was a moulder for Messrs. Innes Son & King, engineers in Hitchin and was a keen footballer with the Blue Cross Football Club. It was reported that he enlisted within the first six months of the war. He and his brother attempted to join up together, but at that time Harold was rejected.
Percy had been married but his wife died only 3 or 4 days after their marriage at Three Counties railway station in February of 1914 and it was reported that his mother had been a cripple for over 20 years.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin and enlisted there.
Wartime Service
Percy was given the Regimental Number 68326 and posted to ‘B’ Battery, 15th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery equipped with 18 pounder guns. His medal cards record that he landed in France on 28 October 1915, but a newspaper report suggested that he also fought in Gallipoli and Egypt. This needs more research and confirmation.
At the time of his death in action had been in France for over two years. The Battery had been in action and had just finished firing, when a piece of shrapnel from a bursting shell struck him.
At the time of his death the Battery was located in the area of the Nieppe Forest just south of Hazebrouck and was probably part of IX Corps in the 2nd Army. Violent exchanges of shelling took place across this period.
His commanding officer wrote that “the battery had been in action and had just finished firing in the early morning, what a piece of shrapnel from a bursting shell struck Gunner Upchurch between the shoulder blades and completely penetrated his body. They laid him down by his gun, and it passed away, apparently without pain, before they had finished bandaging him.” This officer and chaplain paid tribute to Percy’s efficiency and high personal qualities and described him as a brave and cheerful soldier .
He was buried in Row F, Grave 12 in the Cinq Rues British Cemetery in France. His headstone bears the private inscription "Thou hast set my feet in a large room. Psalm 31 second part".
Additional Information
After his death £17 18s 7d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother on 16 October 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £15 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 9 December 1919.
His pension cards record Eliza Elizabeth Upchurch as his mother and as his dependant, living at 43 Radcliffe Road, Hitchin. It also records their children as (b ) and (b ).She was awarded a pension of 7s a week from 24 December 1918, although another record suggest the amount was 5s 5d. Later this was amended to his father James.
When Percy’s death was reported it recorded that his brother Harold had served in the Essex regiment and was badly wounded in France in April 1918 and had been in hospital at Southport.
*1 Service number note: CWGC gives 68326, SDITGW, the pension cards, his medal cards and soldiers effects all give 68926
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
