Name
Percy John Winterson/Collins
15/10/1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/07/1922
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
47881
Lancashire Fusiliers
2/8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Not yet known
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No CWGC record found.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Pre War
Percival (Percy) John WINTERSON/COLLINS was born on 15th October 1898, in, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, son of William John Winterson/Collins a Gardener, and Edith Collins (nee Chandler). One of their three children.
His parents were married on 26th December 1896, in Cheshunt, Herts. The Marriage Register records them as William John Winterson and Edith Chandler, it is not know why his father used Winterson (Winterson was his mother’s maiden name). All pre marriage documents have him as COLLINS his true Surname.
He was Baptised Percival John Winterson, on 27th November 1898, at St James Church, Goffs Oak, Herts. At the time the family were living in Appleby Street, Cheshunt.
1901 Census the family are recorded as WINTERSON, Percival aged 2, is living with his parents and brother William (4) at 1 Hammond Cottages, Hammond Street, Cheshunt, Herts.
Percival attended St James Junior school, Cheshunt, from there he went to Dewhurst Endowed Boys School, Cheshunt, leaving in October 1912, aged 14, to start work.
1911 census records the family as COLLINS. He is recorded as Percy aged 12, at school, living with his parents and brother William (13), still in Hammond Street, Cheshunt, Herts.
Sister Olive Hilda Winterson/Collins was born in 1912. The Register of Births records her as Olive Hilda Winterson the birth was Registered in Edmonton, Middx.
Wartime Service
He enlisted as Percival John Collins, posted to the 3rd/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, a Training Unit, and issued with the service No. 47881. On completion of his training, he was posted to the 2nd/8th Battalion and sent to the Western Front.
The Lancashire Fusiliers were defending the Village of Harigcourt when it was heavily attacked by the Germans on the 21st March 1918, part of the German “Big Push”. Part of the Battles of St Quintin (21st to 23rd March 1918), the Battalion was out numbered taking heavy casualties, the Village was soon lost to the Germans, Percival was captured and taken a Prisoner of War (POW).
He was released on 28th November 1918 and returned home to the UK.
Additional Information
We believe Percival married Ivy May Debnam in the early part of 1920, the marriage was registered in Edmonton, Middx.
1921 Census records Percival and Ivy, married, and they have a daughter Irene May Collins aged 1, living at 8 Stockwell Lane, Cheshunt, Herts.
Percival died on 16th July 1922, aged 23, the location of his burial was not found other than it was in Hertfordshire.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
