Name
Percy Beevis
20 December 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/07/1916
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
26065
The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and face 11A
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, St Peter’s Church Plaque, Berkhamsted, Sudbury War Memorial, Suffolk, Memorial Book, Sudbury Museum
Pre War
Percy Beevis was born on 20 December 1889 in Romford, Essex, the son of Albert and Emily Beevis and one of eight children. On the 1891 Census the family were living at 87 East Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, where his father was working as a journeyman tailor. Percy was baptised on 30 November 1892 at St Peter's Church, Sudbury. They remained in Sudbury in 1901 and 1911, then living at 17 Upper East Street. Percy was then working as a tailor with his father.
He married Beatrice Mead in 1915 and they lived at 16 Cross Oak Road, Berkhamsted, Herts.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, Herts and initially joined the Bedfordshire Regiment under Reg. No. 26184, being posted to the 3rd Battalion, later being transferred to the 9th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Percy's battalion was part of the 74th Brigade, 25th Division and on 14 July they saw action in the second phase of the Battle of the Somme at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. There was a dawn attack against the enemy from Delville Wood westwards towards Bazentin-le-Petit Wood which was successful, but an attempt to then attack High Wood failed, resulting in heavy casualties.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He is one of 14 soldiers from the same Regiment who died on 14 July, named on the memorial.
Additional Information
His widow Beatrice received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £1 13s 9d. She also received a pension of 13s 9d a week. She remarried in 1919 to Lionel Crowe and lived at 426 London Road, Lowestoft.
Percy's four brothers also served, one being reported as wounded in April 1917.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jo Bayley. www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk/greatwar, ourfallen.lowestoftoldandnow.org.,
