Name
Percy Herbert Moulden
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/11/1917
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
200847
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st/5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GAZA WAR CEMETERY
XXX. B. 5.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Percy was born in 1885 in Hitchin. His parents were Henry (35) and Mary Ann (36) Moulden (née Chambers) they were married in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin in 30 May 1876.
In 1891 the family were living at 6 Lyles Row, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Henry (35) and Mary Ann (36), with Henry working as a tailor. Their children were: Charles Henry (14), Herbert G (12), William A (11), Rose G (9), Percy Herbert (5) and Florrie (1).
Although some census ages seem to be at odds, we believe Martha died in December 1895 and subsequently Henry married Martha Ann Harradine on 30 May 1896.
In 1901 Henry (48) and Martha (42) were living at 34 Bedford Close, Hitchin. Present were both parents: xxx and x, with x and working as a tailor. The children by Henry and Mary Ann (present) were Percy Herbert (13), Florence (11) and also present was Henry Harradine (4).
Percy married Eva Mary Ann Jackson (b 2/5/1886) in Luton in 1909. Unfortunately we have not yet found them in the 1911 census. However, Henry and Martha were living with Henry Harradine Moulden at 34 Bedford Street, Hitchin. The census recorded that they had been married for 15 years, with 7 children, all surviving. We believe that 7 includes the children from both marriages.
He was a resident of Luton, was a tailor and had been in the Church Lads Brigade.
Officially Percy was recorded as was living in Luton when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford and into the 5th Bedfordshire Regiment and later, probably in early 1917, was renumbered to 200847. He was killed in action in Palestine with the 5th Battalion of the Bedfords.
The date of his death coincides with the Third Battle of Gaza when the 5th Bedfords attacked a Turkish position known as Sheik Hassan with much shelling and confused fighting. Sheik Hassan was an enclosure in the dunes parallel with the northern edge of Gaza. After capturing Tomb Spur, then Sheik Hassan, the Bedfords were subjected to heavy shelling. It had been intended that tanks would help, but they arrived late due to the soft sand.
He was buried in Plot 30, Row B, Grave 5 in the Gaza War Cemetery in Israel.
Additional Information
After his death 10s 3d pay owing was authorised to be paid on 16 February 1918 then another £2 1s 0d was authorised on 18 February, another £6 19s 2d went to his widow, Eva Mary Ann Moulden. On 28 March 1918 and finally a war gratuity of £11 was authorised to be paid to her on 23 January 1920.
His pension cards record widow, Eva Mary Ann Moulden, as his dependant, originally living at 74 Ivy Road, Luton, Beds., Hitchin. She was awarded a grant of £5 on 19 November 1917, then a pension of 13s 9d a week from 20 May 1918 and raised to 19s 1d from 13 December 1918. Her address was amended twice, first to 49 Popham Road, Islington, London, N1 and then believed later still to 4 Forester Stret, Hoxton, London, N1.
His brother (probably half-brother) Henry Harradine Moulden was also killed in the war.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
