Percy Allen Smith

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Percy died on 23rd of July 1917 at the age of 21. 

Percy was born at Corton in 1896, a son of Arthur and Elizabeth Smith. In 1901 the family lived at Mill Lane, Corton, and by 1911 at 2 Mill Loke Cottages, Corton, and Percy was an apprentice printer. By 1915 they were living at 2 Briar Cliffe, Corton Road, Lowestoft. Later Percy’s parents lived at Manor Close Cottage, Hopton, and, subsequently at 33 Tennyson Road, Lowestoft.

Percy was living at 2 Briar Cliffe, Corton Road, and working as an apprentice printer when he attested for the Army, at Lowestoft, on 12 December 1915. He was called up on 4 March 1916 and joined the 3/1st Suffolk Yeomanry, service number 2424. 

Percy arrived at Boulogne, France, on 27 August 1916 and the next day joined 15 Infantry Base Depot. Percy was to transferred to the Suffolk Regiment and joined the 1/4th Battalion.  On 7 September 1916 he was transferred to The Queen’s (Royal West Kent Regiment), service number G/18091. His service papers show him being transferred to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion and then being posted, while in France, to the 7th Battalion.

Percy was wounded at on 4 October 1916 and rejoined the battalion on 23 October. He was wounded again on 3 May 1917, during the attack on Cherisy, but remained at duty. 

On 23 July 1917 the 7th Battalion were in front line trenches near Zillebecke, Belgium. During the day the enemy laid an intense bombardment on the battalion’s positions which were badly damaged. Both heigh explosive and gas shells were used. Later in the day the battalion was relieved by the 19th Battalion Liverpool Regiment and heavy shelling took place during the relief.