No.47679, Private, Percy Horace ELMER
Aged 24
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Born 1894 in Bury St.Edmunds (1st qtr 4a:794) son of James and Mary Ann ELMER (née POTTER)
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at 3 Church Row, Bury St.Edmunds with his father James ELMER [41] baker; his mother Mary Ann [44] born Moulton; brothers Ernest James [18] hairdresser, Archibald Thomas [15] Hairdresser and George Frank [9]; sisters Ethel Eliza [14], Edith Mary [13] and Margery Evelyn [2]. All except his mother born in Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 17, a grocer's assistant, he was at 24 Church Terrace, Bury St.edmunds with his parents and sisters Elsie and Marjorie. His mother had borne 9 children but 2 had died. He married Alce Maud PEARSON in Bury St Edmunds in 1916, later of Lawshall Road, Hawstead. On a pension card his mother was at 10 Almshouses, College Square, Bury St.Edmunds |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The war diary is somewhat confusing as three map references pt the bataon mles fro where they actually were (in the St lege-Ecouste-Croisilles area). The diary has :- 21st.. Enemy attacked. His barrage opened at about 5 sm and was very intensive, particularly on the support, reserve line and BUNHILL ROW. It consisted of HE and GAS. The initial casualties on account of this were heavy (next there is a reference U.25.b.55.25. This should be B.25 to tie in with where they actually were) 11 am The right forward company formed a defensive flank as the battalion on our right had been forced back. Two platoons of the Reserve Company were sent to extend the flank westward 10:30 Two rifle grenade sections of the reserve company were sent forward to assist the forward company. 1 pm 102nd LTMB section reported the the enemy were in Ecoust. One company of 25th NF were oredered to extend the defensive flank westward along the ECOUST SWITCH Battalion HQ moved to left Bn HQ at U.25.a.60.60.(again this does not fit) 1:30 The enemy gained a footing in the front line of the right forward company as far north as GOG and endeavoured to work northwards but was held up 3 pm The enemy was reported to be on the HOGS BACK. Two Companies 25th NF were immedately ordered by Brigade to counter-attack 4pm The enemy were seen advancing on the HOGS BACK towads CROISILLES 5 pm The enemy was seen gathering on the west side of the railway bank between U.25.00.90 and U.24.d.55.60 (still confusing). The left company practically intatc and the remainder of the three other companes made a fighting retirement northwards on to a line from FACTORY AVENUE to CROISILLES SWITCH NORTH When the enmey were on three sides, three Lewis guns and the HQ personnel of 22 Nf, 23 NF and 25 NF made a temporary redoubt of Battns HQ whilst all documents were burnt - and then a fighting retirement was effected northward. Casualties 1 officer killed, 11 issing and 6 wounded, Other ranks, 446 missing, 30 killed, 69 wounded It is a mystery, these map references, unless Tmapper has it all wrong, but that is most unlikely.
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