No.52328, Lance Corporal, Percy William HOWE
Aged 30
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Percy William HOWE was born in Saxon Street in 1887 (Newmarket Q4-1887 3B:501) son of Arthur and Kate HOWE (née STARLING).
1891 census...Aged 3, he was in Saxon Street with his father Arthur HOWE [26] no occupation given; his mother Kate [26]; half sister Agnes A. STARLING [6] and brother Arthur S [1]. All were born in Woodditton (Saxon Street ?). 1901 census...Aged 13 he was in Saxon Street with his parents (father now an agricultural labourer); brother Arthur Sam and sisters Sarah May [9], Margaret E. [7], brother Albert [5], sister Ruby Violet [3] and uncle John Edward STARLING [39] a general labourer. All were still recorded as born in Woodditton. 1911 census... Aged 23, a farm labourer, he was in Saxon Street with his parents, brother Albert (farm labourer), sisters Ruby Violet and Kathleen [5] and uncle Edward STARLING. Now all were recorded as born in Saxon Street. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. from Stebie9173 on http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums:- " The numbers 52222 (Donald Ackrill) to 52410 (Henry Wise) were allocated to men from "E" Infantry Base Depot on 8th June 1918. They were posted to 2nd Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment on 17th June 1918. They joined 2nd Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment on 20th June 1918. They were replacements for the 2nd Northamptons after the entire battalion was surrounded and wiped out on the Aisne at the Chemin des Dames by a German offensive. Most of the men came from the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment when they were reduced to Cadre (7th Bn. on 23rd May 1918) or disbanded (8th Bn. in February 1918)." The 2nd Northants were part of the 24th Brigade, 8th Division and took part in the final push in Artois. Percy's was the only death in the battalion that day, in fact one of only 5 killed all week in the 2nd battalion. The 7th fared slightly worse. |
photo: Rodney Gibson
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