Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 53122 Percy Patten

Age: 24
From: Southend
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
Panel Ref: A.5

Percy James was born on the 24th December 1892 in Southend-on-Sea, the son of James Samuel Patten and his wife Ada Harriet (nee Thorogood) who were married on the 05th April 1890. Percy was baptised on the 12th February 1893 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Prittlewell, his father's occupation is shown as a labourer.

His father died on the 08th October 1897 in Prittlewell aged just 27. He was buried in Westcliffe-on-Sea.

The 1901 Census shows Percy living with his mother's relations at 10 Hayes Terrace, Alma Road, Enfield. Head of the household is Emily Nightingale, married aged 25, a tobacconist and confectioner born in Stambridge, Essex, her sister Ann Thorogood aged 20 born in Stambridge, Percy aged 8 b.Southend-on-Sea.

The 1911 Census shows Percy James living with his widowed mother and siblings at 7 Eastwick Road, Westcliff on Sea, Prittlewell. His mother is a laundress born at Great Stambridge in 1869. Percy is 18 years of age and a Grocer's assistant. His three siblings, all born in Southend are Emily Ada b. 1891 and is employed as a Dairy bookkeeper, Alfred Ernest b.1895 and a Grocer's assistant and Edith May b.1898 and at school.

He enlisted in Warley, Essex joining the East Surrey Regiment as Private 20387.

He was transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 53122.

Percy was killed in action on 09th April 1917, aged 24. This was Easter Monday and the opening day of the Battle of Arras.

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up” for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded.

Percy now rests at Neuville Vitasse Road Cemetery in France.

The village of Neuville-Vitasse was captured by the 56th (London) Division on 9 April 1917, almost entirely lost at the end of March 1918, and cleared at the end of the following August. The cemetery was made by units of the 33rd Division after the first capture of the village, and two other burials were added in June 1917. Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery now contains 86 First World War burials, 11 of them unidentified. The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.

His death was reported in the Essex Newsman on 05th May 1917:

The following are among Southend men who have been killed at the Front;

Pt. Percy Patten, King's Liverpool Regt., the son of Mrs Patten of 7 Eastwick Road.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Ada.

Percy James is commemorated on the following Memorials:

County Borough of Southend

St Albans Parishioners, Westcliffe on Sea.

His mother died in the December quarter of 1962, aged 94.

We currently have no further information on Percy Patten, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.