Name
Percy Cyril Gristwood
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/07/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/7867
Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 45 and 47
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial, St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth, Oddfellows Memorial, Rickmansworth, We are not aware of any Batchworth memorial
Pre War
Born in 1895 in Batchworth, Rickmansworth, Percy was the son of Martin and Julia (nee Piper) Gristwood. His father was a General Grocer and in 1901 was living London Road, Batchworth with Julia, their six children, and two visitors.
Julia died in 1903 age 50, and in 1911, Percy’s father Martin age 62, now described as a retired Grocer and Pork Butcher, was living 6 Messina Terrace, Ebury Road, Rickmansworth with five of his children. Percy age 16, was said to be a Cashier in Refreshment Rooms.
Monies due to Percy, including the later War Gratuity, were paid to a Miss Lilian Weller. Who she was is not known. Percy’s older brother Sergeant Robert Gristwood was killed on the 2nd of October 1916.
Recorded as enlisting in London.
Wartime Service
The Battalion was raised on the 5th of May 1915 by the Mayor of Lewisham and a local committee.
As part of 122nd Brigade 41st Division they landed in France on the 3rd of May 1916 and concentrated between Hazel and Bailleul. In that year they took part in the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and Le Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 the Battle of Messines and then Pilkern Ridge, the opening attack in the Third Battle of Ypres. This lasted from the 31st of July to the 2nd of August and Percy was killed on the first day.
On the 23rd of July the 11th moved by route march to camp in the Westoutre area and on the 24th relieved 6th Brigade in the line behind Hollebeke, incurring many casualties from shellfire. The next few days were spent in the trenches until the 31st when Hollebeke was attacked. With 123rd Brigade on its left and 18th KRRC on its right the Battalion achieved its objectives, although suffering heavy casualties as the units on its flanks were less successful.
Casualties during the Battalion's tour of duty from the 24th of July to the 5th of August were 36 killed, 249 wounded, 54 missing.
Additional Information
Brother of Sergeant Robert Gristwood who was killed in action on 2 Oct 1916 and who is also commemorated on these memorials.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Mike Collins
