Percy's Story.
Percy Houghton was born in 1886 in Birkenhead, to parents William George, a metal planer, and Mary. William was also a preacher in the local area. On the 1891 census the family were living at 62 Brougham Avenue, Tranmere. Percy was joined by his brother, William, sisters, Mabel and Ruth. He went on to be educated at St. Luke’s School, Tranmere.
By 1901, the family had relocated to 10 Fairfield Road, Tranmere. Following the death of Percy’s father, William, in 1899, his mother was recorded as a widow on the census. Percy worked as an assistant salesman for a sack merchant named Mr. Owens, located on Old Chester Road. By then, the family had also grown to include another younger sister, Lilian, who was aged 3 years.
On the 29th February, 1908 Percy married Ellen Winstanley at St. Peter’s Church, Liverpool. The 1911 census had Percy and Ellen living at 74, Rosedale Road, Birkenhead. He was still working for a sack merchant. They had their first child, William George who had been born in December 1908. They went on to have two more children, Percy born in July 1911 and Margaret Lilian in July 1914.
Percy in civiian clothes
With the First World War into its second year Percy enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment on the 10th December 1915 and was posted to the Army Reserve. A few months later he was mobilised on 8th June 1916, before landing in France on the 7th October of that year. There he joined the 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.
At the beginning of February 1917, the battalion were in the line near to the Belgian village of Ploegsteert. Training and preparations were also made for a trench raid to take place on the 17th.
To read more about the raid on the 17th February see here
It was during this raid that Private Percy Houghton was killed. Sadly, his body was never recovered or identified and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Photographs of Percy courtesy of his great nephew. Research by Chris Booth.