PERCY WHITE 

EARLY LIFE

Percy White was born in Macclesfield in 1892 with the name Percy Harry Idle, later Percy White Idle, the son of Maud Idle. In 1901 they were living at 3 Court 3 Knight Street, Macclesfield with Ann White, described as her niece and nephew. Ann White died in 1906 and by 1911, 18-year-old Percy was living with his widowed mother, named as Mary White, at Buxton Road, Macclesfield, and employed as a cotton spinner. Percy and his mother later lived at 32 Jodrell Street, Macclesfield.

 

WW1 SERVICE

Percy enlisted into the local 7th Bn Cheshire Regiment on 17 March 1916, initially being allocated service number 4437. He stated that he was 23 years old and employed as a cotton piecer. His mother was named as Maud White of 32 Jodrell Street, Macclesfield. He was sent for training with the 3rd Bn Cheshire Regiment on 24 March and drafted overseas on 7th September 1916, sailing from Southampton to Rouen. From here, he was sent to join the 13th Battalion on 16 September 1916.

Percy was wounded in the neck and back on 21 October 1916 and despite being passed back to No. 9 Casualty Clearing Station at Contay and then to No 12 General Hospital at Rouen, he died from his wounds in hospital at Rouen on 17 November 1916.

 

COMMEMORATION

Private Percy White is buried in Grave Ref. O. II. G. 5. at St. Sever Cemetery Extension near Rouen, France.

Locally, Percy White is commemorated on the Macclesfield Park Green, Town Hall, and St Michael's Church war memorials, and on the Ancient Order of Foresters roll of honour. He is also commemorated on the Adelphi Mill, Bollington roll of honour.

The wreaths laid at the unveiling of the Macclesfield Park Green war memorial included one with the inscription "In loving remembrance of my dear son, Percy White, from his dear mother."

 

SOURCES

GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births

Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911

British Army service records (Find My Past)

Lives of the First World War website

Commonwealth War Graves Commission website

Macclesfield Times: 23 September 1921


Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.