Born in 1881 at Oxford, Percy was the son of Ernest (Carver of Stone and Wood) and Hannah Hammond. In 1891 he was a Scholar with his family at 26 Bishop Road, Brixton. In 1901 he had become a Drapers Assistant living with his family at 98 Sixth Avenue, Manor Park. In 1911 he was a Master Hosier still with his family at 127 Sixth Avenue, Manor Park.
In 1915 he married Gladys Winifred Adams, and by 1918 their marital home had been established at Fern Villa Derby Road, South Woodford. The 1918 Electoral roll confirms that was his residence, adding that he was currently an “Absent Voter.”
Percy joined the Army Ordnance Corps on 27th June 1917 and by qualifying for both the War and Victory medals, he must have served in a designated war zone outside the UK. He survived the years of conflict, but due to sickness he was discharged from the Army on 2nd September 1919, and added a silver wound badge to his military awards.
He did not regain his health and died locally aged 38 on 18th June 1920.
His death came after the stone memorial had been produced for the Methodist Church; hence his name is missing from it. However he does appear at the bottom of the large wooden memorial to all those who served, and the crown placed before his name indicates his life was lost as a result of military service.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Findmypast.co.uk