Pte 21535 Percy William Hurry

• Age: 24
• From: Ilkeston Derbyshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.29

Percy William was born in 1891 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, the son of George Watson Hurry, an assurance superintendent born in Cambridgeshire and his wife, Ann (nee Simpson), born in Ilkeston. His parents married in the December quarter of 1890. Percy had two younger sisters and two younger brothers Vincent Simpson Hurry born in the March quarter of 1894 and Archibald Vivian born in the March quarter of 1895. Sadly both brothers died in infancy. Archibald in the June quarter of 1895 and Vincent in the December quarter of 1897 aged 3.  .

In 1901 the family lived at 4 Sullivan Street, Nottingham, where Percy’s younger sister was born.

The 1911 Census shows the family now living at 21 Sunbourne Road, St Michael’s in the Hamlet, Aigburth.

His father George Watson is aged 52, born 1859, his wife Ann aged 49, born 1862. They have been married for twenty years and have had five children of which two died. The three remaining children Percy William aged 19, is employed as an assurance collector, Carmen aged 18, born 1893 born in Ilkeston and Dorothy Adelaide aged 15 born 1896 born in Nottingham.

On 04^th September 1914, Percy enlisted in Liverpool as Private 18136, although this number is crossed out on his attestation papers, and was posted to the 19^th Battalion, KLR, as Private 21525. On enlistment Percy gave his age as 22 years 11 months, his occupation as Assistant Superintendent (Insurance) and his next of kin as his mother, subsequently changed to his father, of 21 Sunbourne Road. He was described as being 5' 4 and a quarter inches in height, weight 123lbs with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  His religion is stated as Church of England. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

From 07^th November 1915, Percy served in France, earning all 3 medals. Between 28^th March and 9^th April 1916 and again between 20^th June and 24^th June 1916, Percy was admitted to 97^th Field Ambulance suffering with numerous abscesses.

He rejoined his Battalion on 24^th June 1916 and was killed in action three days later on 27 June 1916, aged 24. 

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron.  It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests. 

His death was among those reported in the Liverpool Echo on 05th July 1916 under the header:

KILLED IN ACTION

HURRY - June 27 killed in action aged 24 years. Private Percy W. Hurry "Comrades" dearly loved and only son of George and Anne Hurry 21 Sunborne Road, Liverpool. (Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Parents and Sisters. "Thy Will Be Done". (Ilkeston and Nottingham papers please copy.)    

In October 1916, his effects were sent to his father and included a book of poetry and a copy of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. In a sworn declaration in 1919, his father stated that he, his wife and two daughters aged 23 years and 26 years were still living at 21 Sunbourne Road.

An In Memoriam notice from the family was placed in the Liverpool Echo on his first anniversary 27th June 1917:

HURRY-- In loving and tenderly-cherished memory of Percy William (our Perc). K.L.R. killed in action June 27, 1916.-- From his sorrowing Parents and Sisters, 21 Sunbourne Road, St Michaels. 

Alos on the second anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Echo 27th June 1918:

HURRY-- In proud and loving memory of our dear and only son Percy, killed in action June 27, 1916. - From all at 21 Sunbourne Road, St Michaels. 

Soldiers Effects to father George W., no Pension record found.

Percy is commemorated on the memorial at St Michaels in the Hamlet Church and School in Liverpool. 

His mother died in the September quarter of 1937, aged 75.

His father died in the September quarter of 1941 aged 82. 

We currently have no further information on Percy William Hurry. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.