Name
William Joseph Perkins
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/10/1918
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
PS/2230
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MONTAY-NEUVILLY ROAD CEMETERY, MONTAY
II. D. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
William was the son of Henry and Emma Perkins later recorded at Westfield Lodge, Hatfield, Herts., ah he was born c1892.
In the 1901 Census: The family were living at Denham Stables, West End, Totteridge. Henry working as a domestic coachman. They had 4 children, Mary aged 10, William, aged 8, Florence aged 3 and Hilda aged 1. William was born in Markyate, Herts(*1). By 1911 William was 19 and not living with his parents, but employed as a footman at, 7 Carlos Place, W. London, Mayfair/Knightsbridge. His parents Henry and Emma Perkins were living at Hertingfordbury. Henry is still a domestic coachman. They have 4 daughters living with them, Florence aged 12, Hilda aged 11, Winifred aged 6, and Doris aged 2.
William was educated at an Industrial School under Home Office or local Government Board.
At his enlistment, William Joseph Perkins, family lived at Westfield Lodge, Hatfield, William according to his army record was born in Luton, Bedfordshire(*1). He enlisted into the Public Schools Battalion, Middlesex Regt. on 25/5/1915 aged 22yrs 10mth, at Woldingham, Surrey. William was recorded as 5ft 10inchs tall, 11st. 5lbs. with good physical development, he had been vaccinated as a child and had a scar around his neck from a childhood operation. Next of kin was his Father Henry Perkins, also mentioned were William’s four sisters, Florence 21, Hilda 19, Winifred, 14 & Doris 10.
Wartime Service
After enlisting William’s rank was a Private, he was appointed Lance Corporal 6/6/1916.
William was wounded in action 1/7/16 and was sent to home to recover. While at home he caught influenza but recovered to return to France at the end of 1916.
He returned home once more between 30/6/1918 – 30/9/18. William died 24/10/18. William’s father received his medals and effects.
Awarded the British War Medal, 1914/15 Star and the Victory Medal.
Additional Information
*1 There are discrepancies between William’s army record and the census information as to where William was born and the ages of his sisters.
In 1920 a letter was sent to his father explaining the need to exhume and move his body:
I have to inform you that, in accordance with the agreement with the French and Belgian governments, to remove all scattered graves, and certain small cemeteries, which were situated in places unsuitable for permanent retention, it has been found necessary to exhume the bodies buried in certain areas, and re inter them. The body of your son, the above named soldier (The Late no, L/Cpl. W J Perkins) has, therefore, been removed to the Cemetery described below.
MONTAY- NEUVILLY ROAD BRITISH CEMETERY, 1 1/2 MILES NORTH OF LE CATEAU.
The necessity for the removal of the body is much regretted, but was unavoidable, for the reason given above. The work of re burial has been carefully and reverently carried out, special arrangements having been made for appropriate religious services to be held.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mr Perkins (Father) of Westfield Lodge received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
A related letter was sent on November 26th, 1919, which read:
Dear Sir
Referring to the circular signed by you on behalf of the Souvenir Committee of the Peace Celebrations Committee, I write to inform you that Mr. Perkins of Westfield Lodge the next of kin of William Joseph Perkins appears to have been overlooked.
The Perkins family came to live in the parish in their present house in April 1915 – William Joseph Perkins enlisted in the 16th Middlesex Regt. in May or June 1915 and was killed 24th Oct 1918, & therefore I take it his next of kin are entitled to receive the souvenir.
I am
Yours faithfully
W.J. Halsey
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
