Percival Joseph Prior

A Shipwright 1st Class with H.M.S. Pelican, Percival died on 22nd of April 1940 at the age of 34. 

Percival was born at Lowestoft on 8 November 1904, a son of Joseph and Maria Prior. In 1911 his family lived at Chamberlain's Cottages, Oulton Broad, and by 1921 at Holme Lea, Walmer Road, Lowestoft, and Percival worked as a shipwright's apprentice with W. Warden, Shipwright, at Commercial Road, Lowestoft. 

In 1929 Percival marries Catherine Jane Gobell Harvey. Their home was at 43 Saint Leonards Road, Lowestoft. In 1939 Catherine lived at 52 Wolseley Road, Great Yarmouth. 

Percival served as a Shipwright on H.M.S. Pelican. In April 1940 the Pelican took part in the Norwegian Campaign. On 22 April the ship was sailing to the Romsdal Fjord when it was bombed by a German Ju-87 Stuka, when off Narvik. The ship was hit aft and the bomb set off the ship's depth charges. H.M.S. Jackal came alongside to take of the wounded and the Pelican was then towed to Lerwick by H.M.S. Fleetwood. 

Fifty-one of the Pelican's crew, including Percival, were killed. 

Percival's brother, William, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and was accidentally killed in 1915.