Private M/303104 Percival Warren

 Photograph of Percy taken in July 1917 when Percy was 34 years of age. Courtesy of Su Handford.

Died of Wounds on Sunday, 11th August 1918, age 35.
Buried in Grave III. B. 20. at Pernes British Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

Army Service Corps, 335th Company.

Husband of Miriam Maud Warren, of 217, Spon Lane, West Bromwich, Staffs.
Born: Great Bridge, Enlisted: West Bromwich, Resident: West Bromwich.

First landed France & Flanders, 26th March 1917.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, Salem Chapel, and St. Peter's, Greets Green memorials
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/119478/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
27 Sheepwash Lane, West Bromwich, Staffs.
Walter Warren (53, Hairdresser, born Tipton), his wife May E. (45, born Sedgley), and their 7 children: Lillie (23, Dressmaker, born Sedgley), Percival (17, Apprentice Pawnbroking, born Tipton), Joseph (14, born Tipton), Minnie (11, born Tipton), Beatrice (10, born Tipton), Clifford (6, born Tipton), and Charles E. (1, born West Bromwich).

Marriage of Percival Warren and Miriam Whitehouse, in Tipton on 21st October 1906.

1911 Census
217 Spon Lane, West Bromwich, Staffs.
Percival Warren (27, Pawn Broker, born Tipton), and his wife Miriam Maud (28, Helps in Business, born Tipton).

Birth of their daughter Gladys Minnie on 10th June 1912.

Personal Data

Percy Warren attested under the Derby Scheme on 11th December 1915, and allocated to Derby Group 41 (Manager), he was 33 years and 4 months old, employed as a shop manager, and living at 217 Spon Lane, West Bromwich. At his call up on 26th March 1917, Percy was 35 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 33-inch chest and weighed 120 pounds. He joined the Motor Transport Section of the Army Service Corps, and passed his 'Learner's Test' in May 1917, and became a 'Heavy Lorry Driver'.

After Percy's death his outstanding army pay and allowances was paid to his widow, Miriam, in December 1918; this amounted to £17/4/3d (17 pounds, 4 shillings and 3 pence). His War Gratuity of £5/10/0d (5 pounds and ten shillings) was also paid to his widow, in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Percy had enlisted in approximately April 1917.

Percy's brother, Joseph, had already been killed in action on 28th July 1917 whilst serving with the Royal Artillery.

Action resulting in his death

Percy was killed whilst with 335 Company, Motor Transport, Army Service Corps, attached to XIII Corps Heavy Artillery. Percy was initially reported killed in action on 10th August 1918, but this was amended to died of wounds on the 11th August. This excatly matches the records for Bert Belfield (of the Railway Tavern, Graingers Lane, Cradley Heath) who is buried next to Percy, so it may be assumed they were both wounded in the same incident. A telegram from the 22nd Casualty Clearing Station reports that Percy was dead on arrival at Pernes, and had suffered an abdominal injury.

Percy is buried in Pernes British Cemetery, which was adjacent to the Casualty Clearing Station.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald August 25th 1917
KILLED IN ACTION.
GREAT BRIDGE SOLDIER'S SACRIFICE.
Information has been received that Gunner Joseph Warren, of the R.G.A., whose home is at 70 Great Bridge, was killed in action on July 28th. He joined the forces in October 1916, and after being stationed in various places for training, went to France in May last. Previous to enlisting, he was a hairdresser and newsagent carrying on the business of his father who died thirteen years ago. He was well known in Great Bridge and district, and the news of his death came as a shock to everyone. Gunner Warren was hairdresser to his Battery, and the officer who communicated the news to his home, expressed his sympathy and that of the Battery, adding that his death was a great loss to them.
Gunner Warren has two brothers still serving in France: Private Percy Warren, Motor Transport, A.S.C. (Editor: killed in action 11th August 1918), and Gunner Clifford Warren, R.F.A.

Tipton Herald August 24th 1918
Well known Shop manager killed by a shell
Many people in West Bromwich and Tipton will learn with deep regret that Mrs Warren of 217 Spon Lane, West Bromwich, has received official news that her husband Private Percival Warren was killed instantly by shell splinters in France on August 11th of this year. The deceased joined the M.T., A.S.C. on 26th March last year (1917), and went to France in the following June. He had a brother (who was a Great Bridge tradesman) killed in July last year, and still has a brother (Private Clifford Warren) serving in France.
Private P. Warren served his apprenticeship at the Great Bridge shop of Messrs. Southern Bros., afterwards being transferred as manager to the Spon Lane business. He served the firm altogether for 23 years. In 1906 he married Miss Miriam Maud Whitehouse, of Owen Street, Tipton. He leaves a widow and little daughter to mourn his loss. He will be much missed by his numerous friends, as he was greatly respected by all who knew him. Mrs Warren has received many beautiful letters of condolence from both officers and NCOs of Private Warren's company, and one and all speak most highly of his conduct as a soldier and a man.

Tipton Herald August 24th 1918
Roll of Honour
WARREN - In loving memory of my dear husband Percival Warren, M.T., A.S.C, 217 Spon Lane, West Bromwich, who was killed in action in France, August 11th. Fondly mourned by his sorrowing wife and little daughter, Gladys Minnie.

Tipton Herald August 31st 1918
Roll of Honour
In loving remembrance of Private Percy Warren, M.T. A.S.C., who fell in action August 11th 1918. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing mother, sisters Lillie, Minnie, Beatrice, and brothers Clifford (in France) and Charlie.
also
In loving memory of my dear son-in-law Percival, M.T., A.S.C, who was killed in action, August 11th 1918. Fondly remembered by John and Gilbert (in France), Alice and Florrie. "He laid down his life for his friends."

  
Percy's brother Joseph, killed in action 28th July 1917.