Matthew Percival
Cambrai Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Matthew Victor Percival was born 1897 at Bedlington, Northumberland and baptised at Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, December 22nd 1897, one of 10 children of whom only 5 survived, 2 sons and 3 daughters. His father Henry Frank Scott Percival born at Bedlington, June 28th 1871, was the first born son of Henry Frank Percival and Ann Scott. in 1891 he worked with his father at the shipyards as a holder up/riveter’s assistant. He married Emma Holmes born 1872 district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1895 setting up home in the same street as his family at Jackson Street, Annitsford, Cramlington and changed his occupation, becoming a hewer at the colliery to support his wife and their five children, Annie born 1895, Matthew Victor 1897, William 1901, Mark 1904 and Sarah Ellen born 1908 all registered in Northumberland.
On the outbreak of war both father and eldest son enlisted. Despite being aged 43, Henry Frank Scott Percival was firstly assigned to the Royal Army Service Corp, as Private 20387 deployed as a driver then transferred as Private 433455 to the Labour Corp. He was drafted to France where he disembarked October 30th 1915 and remained there until his discharge, November 11th 1919 under King’s Regulations (xvi), no longer physically fit, aged 48, recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
At the same time his eldest son Matthew Victor Percival enlisted at Felling, Gateshead, previously of the Territorial Force, he was initially assigned to the Highland Light Infantry as Private 51180 and later transferred to the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 17th Battalion as Private 81271. He did not depart to France until 1916 joining the battalion in the field as part of the 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. During 1916 they fought at Vimy Ridge, on the Somme at Flers-Courcelette, capturing High Wood, during the Battle of Transloy Ridge capturing Eaucourt l’Abbaye and participated at the attacks on the Butte at Warlencourt. In 1917 they saw action in the Battles of Messines, the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium and the Battle of Cambrai, France, where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks.
Private 81271 Matthew Victor Percival was declared, “presumed dead”, November 30th 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. His sacrifice is recorded as one of more than 7,000 names of servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa inscribed on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France, commemorating those who were killed in the sector during November and December of 1917 and who have no known grave.
His mother Emma received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His father died aged 72 in 1943 details of mother Emma unknown.
His uncle Joseph Percival born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1889 also served during WW1. Living at 9, Greenfield Terrace, Leeds he was single and a pugilist. He enlisted as Private 17/1207 West Yorkshire Regiment, January 14th 1915 and departed to France January 30th 1916 where he was promoted to Sergeant and during active service received a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, “although severely wounded, when he heard that his company had advanced, immediately got up and ran to the head of his company, encouraging his men”. Returned to England, August 29th 1916 he attended Army School at Newcastle and was awarded 3rd Class Certificate of Education, October 9th 1917, after which he was attached as an instructor at the Command Depot, Ripon, Yorkshire. March 31st 1920 he was discharged Class Z Reserve, with the obligation of recall should the Armistice fail and hostilities with Germany resume. Recipient of the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal, awarded October 20th 1916 also the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His uncle Mark Percival born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1885 enlisted in 1914 as Private 3249 1st/4th Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action July 13th 1916 on the Somme near Mametz leaving a widow Elizabeth and two children. Interred Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France grave VIII. D. 8, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, he was 31 years old.
Joseph and Mark’s father Henry Frank Percival Snr. died aged 72 years in 1927, Ann Percival nee Scott, their mother, in 1931 aged 80 years, both death registered in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Matthew Victor Percival is remembered at Heworth with his uncle Mark on H92.03 and at Windy Nook on W95.01 and W95.02
