Pte 16816 Percy Gahan

• Age: 23
• From: Walton, Liverpool
• Regiment: 13th Kings
• Died on Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Tilloy Bc
  Panel Ref: IV.G.16

Percy was born in Walton, Liverpool in the last quarter of 1893, the youngest son of Charles Gahan and his wife Sarah Ann (nee Everett). 

His father was born in Salford, and his mother in Liverpool. They married in 1884 and had six children. Percy had older siblings Charles Herbert, born in 1885, Elsie 1887, Austin 1889, and Ernest 1892 (who died in infancy), and a younger sister Amelia, born in 1896. 

At the time of the 1901 census the family is living at 18 Hawkesworth Street, Anfield with five children. His father is a dock porter, Percy is 7. 

By 1911 they have moved to 44 Lower Arkles Lane, Anfield.  His father is 53, now a ship’s steward, his mother is 49.  His sisters both work for a grocer, Elsie, 23, as a clerk, and Amelia, 15, as a cashier.  Charles, 25, is a ship’s stores clerk, Austin, 21, is a coach builder, and Percy, 17, is a canal carrier’s clerk.  

Percy enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16816. He gave his age as 20 years and 270 days and his occupation as a Clerk. He is described as being 5'6 inches tall weighing 118lbs being of fresh complexion with hazel eyes. He stated his religion as Church of England. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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. 

His mother Sarah died in the spring of 1915, aged 54, when Percy was training in the U.K.

Percy travelled to France with the Pals battalions landing in France on 07th November 1915.

He was wounded, (GSW Left Foot) on 01st July 1916 during the attack on the village of Montauban. He was hospitalised and returned to the UK on 06th July 1916 via Etaples on board the Stad Antwerpen. He was treated at the Ontario Military Hospital at Orpington, Kent from his arrival on 06th July through to his discharge on 05th October 1916. His hospital stay lasted 92 days and his wound is described as "healing nicely". 

Upon his return to fitness he joined the 3rd Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment in the UK on 16th October 1916. He travelled to France on 19th December 1916 joining the 1st Battalion on arrival before transferring to the 13th Battalion on 23rd December 1916.

He was serving with the 13th Battalion when he was killed in action, aged 23, on 09th April 1917 during the opening day of the Battle of Arras. 

Percy was buried close to where he fell, “near Artillery Track” (CWGC Graves Registration form, showing his surname as Graham). After the war when graves were concentrated, his body was exhumed and reinterred in Tilloy British Cemetery where his now rests.

Percy earned his three medals. 

His next of kin on the Medal Index Card regarding disposal of medals was C. Gahan, 307 Coy R.D.C., Brownhouses Camp, Rigg, near Gretna, Scotland.  This was his father, who enlisted on 31st October 1914, served in the U.K., and was discharged, sick, with a Silver War Badge on 18th February 1918, aged listed as 53.  (Perhaps he lied about his age in order to join up. His father would have been 60.)

Percy's loss was not the only grievous loss that the Gahan family suffered in 1917. His older brother Charles Herbert (Bert) of the Royal Fusiliers was killed in action during the fighting at Passchendaele on 06th August 1917 aged 31. Bert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.

Percy’s Army effects and a War Gratuity of £12 went to his father Charles, who was awarded a combined pension of 20/- for his two sons and a Gratuity of £18-4s.

Both brothers are named on the family headstone at Anfield Cemeter with the fitting epitaph:

"THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT WE MAY LIVE"     

Percy is commemorated on the Granton Road Council School Memorial now housed at Breckfield Primary School,Liverpool. Whilst both he and Charles Herbert were commemorated on the St. Simon and St. Jude Church window (lost). 

His brother Austin attested in November 1915, was mobilised a year later, served as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, was wounded and gassed in August 1917, and was demobbed in October 1919 after serving in Germany. 

His father Charles Herbert died in 1921 aged 64, a ship steward, of 13 Ireton Street, and was buried in Anfield Cemetery, Non Conformist section.

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