Name
Percy Yalden
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/07/1916
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/4171
Bedfordshire
1st
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore, St Stephens Parish Memorial Obelisk,Park Street, Memorial, Froyle, East Hants
Pre War
Percy was born in Froyle, Alton, Hampshire in 1891 (baptised 15 Nov 1891) to James Yalden, a labourer, and Alice (nee Baker).
On the 1901 Census his parents, Walter J (born 1884), Harry (born 1887), Rosa (born 1889) and Percy were living at Lower Froyle. There was an older brother William G (born 1875). His connection to Hertfordshire has not been found.
Wartime Service
Percy volunteered as Private 4/7141 around 7 Aug 1914 ( service number 7101 was issued on 7 Aug 1914 in 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment) and following a short period of training went France on 3 Dec 1914 to join 1st Battalion in the B.E.F in the Ypres sector. His Battalion fought at Hill 60 near Ypres, so he may have fought at there in 1915, at the Somme in 1916.
On 27 Jul 1916 the 1st Bedfords took part in the Battle of Delville Wood, attacking Longueval, where the Battalion suffered heavy casualties – 168 out of 342 other Ranks. Percy was reported killed in this action, his remains were not recovered and he is rembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity £9 and arrears of £1 7s 9d was paid to his father James. Elder brother William George served in Army Service Corps from 1908 to 1919 surviving posting to France.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
