Percy James Symes

Rank 
Private
Regiment 
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
Date of death 
1 July 1916
Age of death 
20
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Biography 

Born in 1896 at West Ham, son of Alfred Palmer (China & Glass Salesman) and Alice Symes. 1901: With his family at 10 West Road, West Ham. 1911: A Licensed Victuallers Clerk, still living with his family at 10 West Road.

During the war the family home moved to 55 Wynndale Road, South Woodford, and Percy enlisted in 1/4 London Regiment at 112 Shaftsbury Street N1. His medal card states he first entered a war zone by being posted to Egypt on 24th August 1915. If this is correct he must have served initially with 2/4 Londons in Egypt and Gallipoli before going on to France. There 2/4 London were disbanded and the men absorbed into 1/4 London.  

At 08.45 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1/4 London were in support on the left of 168 Brigade during the diversionary attack on Gommecourt, and under heavy German shelling for most of the day. “A” & “C” Companies went forward to support 1/12 London in the first line German trenches, later going on to the second and third lines. The rest of the Battalion remained in the attack trenches, under German bombardment and with little effective protection. The remains of “A” & “C” Companies were withdrawn, joining the rest of the Battalion in trenches west of Hebuterne during the evening. The casualties that day included Percy Symes who was missing, but later confirmed “Killed in Action”.

Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian

Sources:

Ancestry.com

Battalion History