Percival Joseph Cracknell

A Driver with 22nd Battery, Percival died on 9th of May 1915 at the age of 21. 

Percival was born at Lound on 28 September 1894, a son of George and Louisa Cracknell. he was baptised at Saint Bartholomew's Church, Corton, on 4 November 1894. In 1901 his family lived at 12 Back Lane, Lound, and, by 1911, at Fern House, Back lane, Lound. Later his parents lived at The Corner, Lound, Lowestoft.

Percival was aged 14 years and 261 days when he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery, as a boy soldier, at Great Yarmouth on 16 June 1909, service number 31825. He was appointed Trumpeter with 29 Company on 22 September 1911. He joined 37 Company on 15 March 1912, and 100 Company, at Malta, on 21 March 1912. He was transferred to serve as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery, in England, on 2 January 1913, and posted to 22nd Battery with service number 71669.  

Percival arrived in France with 22nd Battery on 16 August 1914. 

On 8 May 1915 Percival was wounded and admitted to 85 Field Ambulance where he died from his wounds the following day. He was buried in a field at the farm of Henri, Pattyn, Vanlaeres, on the west side of Poperinghe at the Westoutre Road, about 300 yards south of Poperinghe. In 1919 his body was exhumed and he was reburied at Klien-Vierstraat British Cemetery.

Percival's brother Charles served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, in the Royal Naval Division, and died of wounds in 1918.