Name
(William) Percy Felstead
20 Jun 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/08/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
54223
Royal Garrison Artillery
16th Heavy Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BARD COTTAGE CEMETERY
IV. E. 19.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
SOMETHING ATTEMPTED SOMETHING DONE HAS EARNED A NIGHT'S REPOSE
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, All Saints Church Memorial, Willian
Pre War
William Percy (Medcalf) was born on 20 Jun 1889 in Highlaver, Essex to George Medcalf and Elizabeth Ann (nee Bowen).
On the 1891 Census Percy and his mother Elizabeth (Medcalf) were living with her father, James Bowen, mother Maria, James G Bowen at Goffs Lane, Cheshunt, Herts.
He was baptised as William Percy Felstead on 15 Aug 1901 in Melbourne, Cambs. with (step)father named as Joseph G Felstead and mother named as Elizabeth Ann.
On the 1901 Census Percy was living at Cross Lane, Melbourne, Cambs with his parents Joseph & Elizabeth. Gertrude (born 1894) and William (born 1901).
On the 1911 Census Percy was working as a cowman and living with the Chapman family at Angram Grange, Coxwold, Yorks. His family of parents, Olivia (born 1896), Edward (born 1899), William (born 1901), Alice (born 1903), Ernest (born 1905), Daisy (born 1909) and Harry (born 1911) were living at Sheen Farm, Meldreth, Royston, Herts.
His parents later lived at 40, Pix Rd., Letchworth, Herts. Percy lived at 40 Pix Road, Letchworth, Herts
Wartime Service
Percy enlisted on 28 Nov 1914 in the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 54123 and was posted to 4 Depot RGA at Great Yarmouth. Following his training he went to Fance on 9 Jul 1915 landing at Le Havre on 10 Jul. He was posted to 24 Heavy Battery RGA on 25 Dec 1915 and then to 16 Heavy Battery RGA on 12 Feb 1916. Percy came home to UK on leave in May 1916.
He was killed in action on 27 Aug 1917 during the Battle of 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) probably as the result of Counter Battery fire from the German Artillery.
Refused promotion several times. Letter from his Major reported that he died instantly 'at his gun'. Horseshoe charm and other belongings were returned to his family..
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 10s and arrears of £10 8s 6d was paid to his father.
Percy is also commemorated on the family headstone in Willian (All Saints) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
In loving memory of
PERCY FELSTED [OF THE HEAVY BATTERY. R.G.A.] ELDER SON OF JOSEPH AND ELIZABETH FELSTEAD, LETCHWORTH, [LATE OFF MELDRETH]. WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE AUGUST 27TH 1917, AGED 20 YEARS.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
