PERRY, Kenneth
2nd Lieutenant, Kenneth George Archibald PERRY
Aged 33
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Born in Croydon on 21st October 1883 [Croydon 2a:253], baptised in Croydon 16th November 1883, the son of Charles Archibald and Caroline PERRY (née READY)
of Sanderstead Road, Croydon, Surrey. 1891 census...At Sanderstead Road, Croydon were Kenneth [7] with his father Charles Archibald [32] Accountants Clerk, born Brighton, his mother Caroline [32] born Croydon, his brothers Arthur [5] born Croydon and Charles [4 months], born Sanderstead. Sister Elsie [9] was visiting the Brooker sisters at 24 Birdhurst Road, Croydon He went to Whitgift Grammar School Croydon. 1901 census...At Meisenger, Chipstead, nr. Reigate were Kenneth[17] assistant railway surveyor, with father Charles [42] Assistant Accountant on Railway, born Brighton, his mother Caroline [42] born Croydon, his sisters Elsie A [18], born Croydon and Madeline [4] born Croydon and one servant. 1911 census...Kenneth [27] and now a surveyor, was visiting Thomas Bruckshaw, trainer, at Melton House, Exning. His family were at 'Hazelglen', Russells Crescent, Horley. He married Dorothy BRUCKSHAW 5th September 1914 in St Martins Church, Exning. Her address after his death being Harraton Lodge, Exning, the address he gave the Army as his permanent address |
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He enlisted originally in the 28th Battalion London Regiment (Artists Rifles) on 5th January 1915, weighing 152 lbs (69.2 kg), 5' 9" (175.3 cm)tall
and chest 35" to 38" (88.9 cm to 96.5 cm).
Whilst at Hare Hall Camp, Romford, Essex he was accepted for a commission in the Royal Sussex Regiment on 4th September 1916. On June 30th that year the 11th,12th and 13th battalions had 366 men killed in just 5 hours. The re grouped battalions were however soon back in action. The 11th were involved at the Schwaben Redoubt on 30th October when Kenneth was wounded. It had rained for over a week so conditions must have been even worse than usual. He died at N0.44 C.C.S. at Puchevillers on November 1st. |
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His personal effects forwarded to his widow were:- Identity disc; letters and photos; broken pipe; small cross; small gold ring; note case; metal mirror; leather cigarette case; flask; collar and tie; Officer's advance book; whistle and cord; badges; wristwatch, photo wallet; lock of hair; stud; writing pad; protractor and 45 centimes (souvenir). The Army being ever cash conscious paid the 45 centimes to the Command Cashier ! Kenneth's entry in "Our Exning Heroes" reads as follows: Perry, K.G. 11th Royal Sussex Regiment..Lieutenant Kenneth George Perry was assistant Surveyor on the L.B.S.C. Railway and Professor Associate of the Surveyor's Institute. He was a brilliant golfer, and for many years Hnn. Secretary of Chipstead Golf Club. He was also a fine tennis player. In January, 1916, he enlisted in the Artists' Rifles and obtained his Commission in the Royal Sussex Regiment on September 5th of the same year, and almost immediately went out to France when he was sent to the 11th Battalion and saw heavy fighting on the Somme beyond Thiepval. He was badly hit on October 30th while taking his men up a communication trench, and died from wounds on November 1st. Lieut. Drew wrote to Mrs. Perry as follows: "I was not with your husband when he was hit, having been sent to take command of C Company, but I am told he behaved in a particularly plucky manner when hit, and from what I know of your husband, I am sure that was so. I may say without any exaggeration, your husband was one of the finest men I have ever met. We were only together in A Company for just over a week, but during that time we were in a big attack together. Two of our Companies had taken a trench and were violently shelled by the enemy and lost heavily. I and your husband were detailed to take up reinforcements to them, and as there was a heavy barrage on at the time it was not a very pleasant job. We managed to get through without any loss, found the Company we had to reinforce with no officers and in a very shaken condition. We re-organized the line together and managed to hold the trench. Our Regiment was afterwards congratulated by Sir Douglas Haig on the achievement. Your husband throughout the above trying time behaved in a very cool and able manner, and I know our C.O. was awfully pleased with him." His widow has presented Exning Church in Memory of this distinguished young officer a very handsome Processional Cross. |
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