BOYDEN, Percy


No.35441,Lance Corporal, Percy BOYDEN
Aged 24


12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
formerly 2788, Suffolk Regiment
Died of his Wounds on Friday, 16th June 1917


Percy BOYDEN was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q4-1894 4A:720), son of John and Emma BOYDEN (née LONG). He was of the first generation of Boydens born in Haverhill. The family had been at Lavenham for generations working in agriculture and textiles. After John, the youngest of nine, had seen his brother Charles take his family to Haverhill in about 1885, he and Emma (also from Lavenham) followed. They were married at St Mary's on 10th May 1890 and lived next door to the Plough Inn. John was a mat maker and Emma a hair weaver. They were living in 2 Eden Place in 1893 when their first child Martha was born, but she died as an infant. They were possibly still there when Percy was born and maybe in 1896 when Stanley was born, who sadly also died as an infant.

1901 census...Aged 6, he was at 11 Duddery Road, Haverhill, with his father John BOYDEN [34] mat shearer, born Lavenham; his mother Emma [34] hair weaver born Lavenham and a visitor Lizzie AMBROSE [16] born Long Melford.

1911 census...Aged 16, a clothing warehouseman, he was still at 11 Duddery Road with his parents; brother Stanley [8] and Flora [6].

His mother was still at 11 Duddery Road on the pension card

He was an active member of the Congregational Church, hence his plaque as a member of the Haverhill District Sunday School Union in that church. He was also at one time the Church Librarian. He is also on the Gurteens Roll of Honour, as is his father who also enlisted, in the Army Service Corps.



He enlisted in Haverhill, according to the South West Suffolk Echo of 28th November 1914, in the 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, the same day and regiment as James MAYES. As the 5th Suffolks went to Gallipoli in 1915, it would appear that Percy was transferred before then into the Northumberland Fusiliers, initially as No 9288 and then to the 12th Battalion as 35441, Acting Corporal.

His death was presumed on 17th June 1917 and unusually there is a note on his Fusiliers records that he was suffering from shell shock. Presumably then he was last seen alive and shocked. Certainly the report has W/MIA, i.e. wounded, missing in action.



His Sunday School Union plaque in the West End Congregational


photo: Rodney Gibson



Percy Boyden is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Faubourg d'Amiens, bays 2 and 3
also commemorated in the Congregational Church and on Gurteens Roll of Honour.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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