FRANK PERCIVAL 

Weaverham St. Mary's “Roll of Honour” records two lads named Percival, James Herbert and Frank, it is Frank who is on the “Fallen” Memorial. It is not thought that these lads are related.

 

When searching the C.W.G.C. site for one of the “fallen” it is tremendously helpful when the family has been found by the C.W.G.C. and the family details added. Between 25% and 30%, have no family details, therefore it can be difficult to ensure you have found the right lad. Having spent some time looking at the C.W.G.C. “Fallen” for lads named Frank Percival, the Frank Percival, Private, No 757158, with the Canadian Infantry, who died 13th July 1917 aged 27, native of Cheshire seemed a good fit.

The C.W.G.C. details as follows; Private Frank Percival, Service No 757158, Regiment, Canadian Infantry, 19th Bn., Died 13th July 1917, Remembered at CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY, France. With The Additional Info of Son of Sarah Ann Percival, of 115 East 23rd St. Mount Hamilton, Ontario. Native of Cheshire, England.

 

Service Records are available for Frank, he was born Cheshire 23rd June 1890. (Cheshirebmd records one Frank Percival born in 1890 at Budworth, Registered Warrington. Freebmd records one Frank Percival born in the Sept. Q. 1890 registered at Runcorn. Are they both right? Yes they just record things differently.) His Canadian Service Records just state Cheshire as the place of his birth. His mother was with him in Canada. His personal effects came back to England to a friend, Miss Florence Rollins of Rugby.

 

The Guardian article 27th July 1917, P5/C1;   ROLL OF HONOUR   KILLED, PRIVATE FRANK PERCIVAL (Franks connection to Weaverham.)

Mrs A. Silvester of 18 Weaver View, Weaverham has received a letter from her mother in Canada informing her that her brother Private Frank Percival of the Canadian contingent had been killed in action. The deceased, who was the youngest son of the late Mr. John Percival of Grandstres Green, Antrobus, Northwich, emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada about five years ago with his elder brother. He joined the Canadian Forces at the commencement of the war but the latter was the first to go on active service entering the war zone early in 1916. He was wounded at the battle of Ypres. The deceased came to England in September 1916 and went to the front in July this year, being killed on the occasion of his second visit to the trenches. Private Percival who was 27 years of age formally lived with his grandmother at Gorstage Farm. He was farming in Canada. (The article suggest there is a brother who also enlisted with the Canadians. Can not find at the moment.)

 

Frank is named on Page 308 of the Canadian Book of Remembrance, First World War.

 

Cheshirebmd records the marriage of Alan Silvester & Alma Percival (Sister) at St. Matthew’s, Stretton, Warrington in 1908. Cheshirebmd also records the birth of Alma Percival in 1884 Weaverham.


Research Bob Heaton