Second Lieutenant Percy James Gibbons

Percy James Gibbons was born to parents James, who worked as a tailor and Harriett (nee Bowring). His parents had married on 24th October 1891 and Percy was their first child born in December 1892. Percy had one younger brother Harry, born in January 1894, but who died in June 1901 aged just 7.

Percy was enrolled at Yerbury Road School on 13th April 1896 and but was removed the following year in October 1897.

By 1901 Percy was in the care of his aunt and uncle, Alice (nee Bowring) and Thomas Pinket. Thomas worked as a tailor and the family resided at 29 Randles Road, Islington. In 1905 the Pinket’s moved to 8 Avenue Terrace off Cavendish Road, Colliers Wood, taking Percy with them. The property had five rooms. They were still at this address in 1911 and Percy now aged 18 was working as a Clerk at a Copper Smelters. Also living with the Pinket’s was a cousin of Percy’s John Francis Earle.

Percy’s mother Harriett aged 50 was still alive and working as a general domestic servant at 12 Goulton Road, Lower Clapton. She was listed as being married for 19 years, having two children, with one having died.

By 1915 Percy is living at 36 Marlborough Road, Colliers Wood, in a one room, first floor, furnished room and paying 11shillings and 6d per week with partial board to Mrs Pinket of same address.

With the outbreak of war, Percy enlisted with the British Army as a second Lieutenant with the 12th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment and was given the service number E/125. The Regiment was raised in Bermondsey on 14th May 1915. Final training took place in Aldershot before the Regiment proceeded to France, landing at Le-Havre on 2nd May 1916. At some point Percy was also attached to the Royal West Kent 11th Battalion.

During 1916 Percy saw action in several places including the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Transloy Ridges on the Somme.

The battle for Warlencourt took place 7thOctober 1916 to 16th November 1916 and was described as a tactical incident during the battle of the Somme. German troops had constructed deep dugouts in the Butte (burial mound) and surrounded it by several belts of barbed wire making it a formidable defensive position. The Butte was the subject of several attacks by the British which were costly failures. Percy was killed in Action 7th October 1916 on the first day of battle.

He is buried/remembered at Thiepval Memorial cemetery in France, and his name also appears on a memorial along with four others at Christchurch Colliers Wood. To the right of the Altar a carved oak lectern is inscribed: “They shall walk in white for they are worthy”

By 1916 Percy’s mother Harriett was now living at 94 Devonshire Road, Colliers Wood.