Heslop's Local Advertiser
Flatiron Copse Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Mark Percival was born during the 1st quarter (Jan/ Feb/Mar) 1885 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, one of 10 sons and 3 daughters. His father Henry Frank Percival born 1855 at Halifax, Yorkshire married Ann Scott native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne born 1851, at Newcastle during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec ) of 1871. Working as a labourer in 1881 Henry, his wife, 6 children and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Scott were living at 47, Stowell Street, Newcastle, their youngest child Matthew Lynn Percival born that year died a few months later. Along with his eldest son Henry Jnr (19) in 1891 he worked at the shipyards as a holder up, a riveter’s mate, they were the sole supporters of the family now living at 34, Ramshaw Street, Elswick, Mark aged 6 was a scholar, at the age of 16 he was employed below ground as a coal miner/horse over-man.
In 1906 he married in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Elizabeth Hetherington a local girl born in 1889 with whom he had three children, only 2 survived, Isaac born 1908 and Mary Jane born in 1910 whilst they were living at 14, Jackson Street, Annitsford, near Cramlington. To supplement the household income they had taken in three boarders, Robinson Peacock Cook, John Gardiner and Edwin Jackson, all coal miners. Martha Hetherington, possibly related to Elizabeth, was a general household servant.
Mark Percival enlisted at Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was assigned as Private 3249 to the 1st/4th Northumberland Fusiliers a Territorial battalion. On the outbreak of war they took on a defensive role but after additional training were drafted to France in April 1915 to join the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division. Private Percival did not join the regiment in the field until 1916 where they participated on the Western Front during the Battles of the Somme in 1916.
The battalion did not take part in any major offensives during the opening days, Private 3249 Mark Percival Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action during day to day trench warfare July 13th 1916, his body buried on the battlefield. It was not until after Armistice that his body was exhumed during the clearing of the battlefields by the 113th Labour Company, July 31st 1919 and brought into Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France, for reburial with all honour and reverence, grave VIII. D. 8. At the time of his demise he was 31 years old.
His widow Elizabeth received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mark’s eldest brother Henry Frank Scott Percival born at 47, Stowell Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, June 25th 1871-1943, on the outbreak of war was 43 years old, married with 5 children. Despite his age he enlisted and 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 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 he was serving in France his eldest son Matthew Victor Percival was also serving his country, he perished and was presumed to have died November 30th 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. Commemorated Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His younger brother 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.
Henry Frank Percival Snr. died aged 72 years in 1927, Ann Percival nee Scott in 1931 aged 80 years, both death registered in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
Private Mark Percival although resident in Newcastle-upon-Tyne is remembered on a marble plaque at Heworth St. Mary Church as his parents resided at 8, Garden Terrace, Felling-on-Tyne, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 18/8/1916.
Mark Percival is remembered with his nephew Matthew at Heworth on H92.03
