Percy Hoople was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, on 19th February 1896, the eldest son of William Robert Hoople and his wife Ada (née Garner). William was from Devon and Ada from Liverpool were married in Toxteth in 1890, and had nine children, one of whom died in infancy. Percy had older sisters Elizabeth and Ada, and younger siblings Gertrude, Audrey, Robert, Leonard, and Bertha.
Percy was baptised in St. Clement’s Church, Toxteth, on 29th March 1896, his parents living at 1 Richardson Street, and his father’s occupation joiner.
In 1901 the family, with five children, is living at 94 Russell Road, Toxteth. His father is a cotton warehouseman. Percy is 5. Also in the household is his maternal grandmother Elizabeth Garner, 74, and aunt Ellen Garner, a café manageress.
In 1911 the family, with eight children, is living in eight rooms at 130 Everton Road. His father is a cotton warehouseman, his mother runs a chandlery from home, Elizabeth, 19, has no occupation, Ada, 17, assists in the chandler’s, Percy, 15, Gertrude, 12, Audrey, 11, Robert, 9, and Leonard, 7, are at school, and Bertha is 1. Sister in law Ellen, 51, a waitress, is also in the household.
Percy enlisted at St. George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914, as Private 15797 joining the 17th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, giving his age as 19 years and 192 days (he added a year to his age in order to serve overseas), and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being 5’ 6 and a quarter inches tall, weighing 124 lbs, with a sallow complexion, hazel eyes and brown eyes. He gives his father as next of kin.
He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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. Whilst Percy was at Larkhill Camp, in October 1915, his mother died, aged 48. It is hoped that Percy would have been granted compassionate leave, to mourn his mother’s passing with the family.
Shortly afterwards, Percy shipped to France with his battalion from Folkestone, disembarking at Boulogne on 7th November 1915. In the new year the battalion takes up position in the south of the Somme line near Carnoy. Percy survived the deadly months of 1916 on the Somme, including the attack on Guillemont.
His service papers show:
Granted Good Conduct Badge on 2/9/1916 on completion of two years’ service.
Granted Professional Pay 1st Class 1/7/1917
Granted leave to the U.K. 13-23/7/1917
Percy takes part in, and survivesd the Third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele, which began on 31st July 1917 and continued until November. He survived the very costly German Spring offensive of 1918, including the Scherpenberg.
His record shows that Percy was sent to the Transport Depot on 13th May 1918. The 17th battalion returns to England in June 1918, in preparation for the operation in Russia, but Percy remained in France. His record shows that he was transferred to the 13th Bn K.L.R. on 24th August 1918.
Just one week later, Percy was reported as wounded in action on 31st August, revised to killed in action on on 18th September. His family suffered the anguish of not knowing Percy’s fate, as shown in the correspondence referred to below:
On 10th September his father received a letter from a friend stating Percy had been slightly wounded and was in hospital.
On 16th September his father received official notification to the same effect.
On 05th October his father was informed that Percy had been killed in action on 31st August.
On 13th November his father received official notification that Percy had been killed in action on 18th September.
Percy now rests at Ecoust-St Mein British Cemetery at D19:
Ecoust-St. Mein was captured by the 8th and 9th Devons in a blizzard on 2 April 1917, lost on 21 March 1918, and retaken at the end of the following August by the 3rd Division. The British Cemetery was then made, in continuation of a German Extension (now removed) of the communal cemetery. The cemetery contains 151 burials of the First World War, eight of which are unidentified. The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Of the 143 identified casualties in this small cemetery 59 are K.L.R., all but 9 of whom are from the 13th battalion, lost in action on 31st August and 1st September in the successful attack on Ecoust.
His loved ones placed notices in the Liverpool Echo on 02nd October 1918:
“August 31, killed in action, aged 22 years, the beloved eldest son of W. R. Hoople, 130, Everton Road. Deeply mourned by Father, Sisters, and Brothers.”
“In loving remembrance of Private P. Hoople (Perc), killed in action August 31. (Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten.) Sadly missed by Ev and all at 75 Esmond Street.”
The circumstances of Percy's death would be featured in the 13th Battalion War Diary which records:
August 30 – At night time the battalion moved up in preparation for an attack on Ecoust.
August 31 – the Battalion attacked and were successful in obtaining their objective as also did the 1st Gordon Highlanders on their Left. The Battalion on the Right flank, however, did not get their objective and this necessitated a withdrawal temporarily and subsequently the Battalion re-took the objective though suffering heavy casualties.
Estimated Casualties: 9 Officers, 200 Other Ranks.
Private 15797 Percy Hoople was one of those killed in action that day.
Apparently there was still some confusion over Percy’s status, as A. Robinson (a sweetheart?) wrote to the Army in early November 1918 from 75 Esmond Street, Breck Road, Anfield:
“Sir, Can you give me any news concerning Private P. Hoople, No.15797, C Company, 10th Platoon, 13th King’s. I have not heard of him for a long time and I was told he was in hospital and wounded but cannot get to know which one he is in. Enclosed stamped addressed envelope. Yours truly, A. Robinson.”
The only personal belongings sent home was an identity disc. His father wrote to the Army:
“Sir, in signing for my boy’s Identity Disc I cannot realise that this is his disc as worn by him. The one worn by him was brown and totally different in shape, also a gold chain was attached. In fact his manner of death and place seems to be enveloped in mystery up to the present which presumably happened nigh to 6 months ago. Yours, W. R. Hoople. P.S. Can I get any information by applying elsewhere?”
The Army finally provided the family with an official date of death and place of burial on 11th February 1919.
Percy earned his three medals, which his father signed for. He received Percy’s effects, including a War Gratuity of £19. His father died in 1929, aged 63, occupation listed as chandler.
Liverpool Stock Exchange Memorial.
