Percy Robert Blanchflower
A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Percy died on 10th of October 1918 aged 24.
Percy was born at Lowestoft on 24 January 1894, a son of Horace William and Victoria Anne Blanchflower. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 20 April 1894, and his family lived at 99 Stanley Street. By 1901 they were living at 34 Denmark Road, which would be the family home for the rest of Percy’s life. Percy was a pupil at Roman Hill School and, on 17 September 1907, became a pupil at Lowestoft School of Science. By 1915 Percy was a bank clerk living at 10 Theatre Street, East Dereham, Norfolk.
Percy attested for the Army at East Dereham on 9 December 1915. He then joined the Army Reserve and was called up on 22 January 1916 and joined the Norfolk Regiment, service number 22875, and was posted to the 10th Battalion. On 21 June 1916 he was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, service number 4679, and was posted to the 2/8th Battalion and joined B Company. In 1917 he was renumbered 302183. Percy was a qualified rifle-bomber and signaller.
Percy was posted to France on 23 September 1917 and joined 19 Infantry Base Depot, Etaples, on 24 September. He was posted to the 14th Battalion on 27 September and joined the battalion, to serve with C Company, on 7 October. Percy was granted leave to England from 19 March to 2 April 1918. He joined H Infantry Base Depot on 14 May and a Corps Reinforcement Camp on 25 May. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 1 June, one of 91 reinforcements that joined the battalion that day.
On 10 October 1918 the 2nd Battalion moved through Clary to Bertry. The advance went well until they reached the Le Cateau – Cambrai Road when they were subjected to an enemy barrage. Due to lack of support the advance was halted until 8 a.m. and as they advanced again, they were subject to extremely heavy enemy fire which caused many casualties. During the operation the battalion’s casualties were nine officers and 192 other ranks, including Percy who was killed in action.
Percy was awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette 11 March 1919, page 3435. In 1919 this medal could not be awarded posthumously, hence Percy had to have been recommended before his death. It is possible that the award was for the battalion attack near Villers-Guislain on 20 to 23 September 1918, or in their advances in the days immediately before his death. Note the Gazette incorrectly gives his battalion as the 8th, but the timing of the award is such that it can only have been made for his service with the 2nd Battalion.
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Percy Blanchflower
34
Denmark Road
Lowestoft
United Kingdom
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