Name
Percy High
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
East Surrey Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Percy High was born in the summer of 1879 at Abbots Langley. He was one of seven children (five sons and two daughters) born to William and Maria High. William High was employed as an Elementary Schoolmaster and in 1891 the family lived at the School House at Abbots Langley. At the time of the 1901 Census the family was recorded living at the High Street, possibly still at the School House, and Percy was noted as a “Student in Training College”. In the 1911 Census William High had retired and lived with his wife and son Robert, who also served in the Great War, at Elm Villa at Abbots Langley.
The 1911 Census recorded Percy High living as a Boarder at 3 Norman Villas, Tottenham, where he was employed as a Certificated Elementary Schoolmaster.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour first recorded Percy High in October 1914, serving with the 11th Fusiliers. Percy’s Medal Roll confirmed that at some point he transferred to the 17th Royal Fusiliers, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. The Roll of Honour continued to list Percy with the Fusiliers throughout 1915 and 1916. He was sent to France on 17th November 1915, and was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant on 5th September 1916. By January 1917 he had been transferred to the 9th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment.
On 18th April 1917 Percy married Constance Elizabeth Coleman at St Andrews, Whitehall Park, Islington. The Parish Magazine reported in September 1917 that Percy had been wounded. He recovered and around the end of 1917 was promoted to the rank of Captain, still serving with the 9th East Surrey’s.
Percy continued to serve with the 9th East Surrey’s for remainder of the War. His Medal Roll noted that he had applied for his Service Medals on 24th June 1921, when he was living at 3 Priory Avenue, Hornsey, N8.
Percy High survived the War, as did his brother Robert.
Additional Information
Formerly 11th Fusiliers
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
