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BENWELL

Percival, R.H., A/Smn., 1916
On Portsmouth Naval Memorial is the name of KX/184 Able Seaman Richard Henry Percival, serving with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 31/05/1916.

Colin Boyd has provided the following:

Richard was born on 31st May 1892. He was working as a miner living with his wife, Sarah at 5, Delaval Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne when he enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 2nd September 1914. (This address was later changed to 61, Noble Street, Elswick).

After transferring to the RNVR on 7th September 1914 he was posted to Antwerp on the same day and joined the Howe Battalion.

Richard was sentenced to 21 days detention at Chatham on 29th June 1915 and was drafted to Portsmouth on 2nd November 1915.

Richard was killed in action on board HMS Queen Mary at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916.

He is remembered in Benwell on B86.02 and on our List of Ships’ crews


H.M.S. Queen Mary Casualty List
The CWGC entry for Able Seaman Percival

If you know more about this person, please send the details to janet@newmp.org.uk