Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Herbert Smith, born in the January quarter of 1858, in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire and baptised on the 15th August 1858 in the Church of St. Michael & All Angel’s, Appleby Magna (son of James Smith, 1820 and Eliza Horton, 1822) and his wife Lizzie (Elizabeth) Maria Smith (nee Jacques, married in the October quarter of 1882 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born in the April quarter of 1859 in Ashby de la Zouch (daughter of John Jacques, 1826 and Elizabeth Kerby, 1837). Percy was born in the January quarter of 1894 and baptised on the 5th May 1895 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch. On the 17th June 1897, Percy’s mother died aged 37 years, and was interred on the 20th June in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Ashby de la Zouch. Percy’s widowed father married widow, Mary Litherland in the January quarter of 1901 in the Ashby de la Zouch district. In March 1901 Percy was residing in the family home at Court 8, Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his father, an earthenware grate maker, his step mother, Mary Smith (formerly Litherland, nee Hunt) born in the October quarter of 1857 in Ashby de la Zouch and baptised on the 6th December 1857 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch (daughter of Joseph Hunt and Mary Miller), and his siblings, Horace Harold, a colliery crossing driver, born in the October quarter of 1886 and baptised on the 5th December 1886 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Arthur Herbert, born in the July quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 6th December 1891 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch and Ada Elizabeth, born in the January quarter of 1896 and baptised on the 4th July 1897 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, all his siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch and his step siblings, Maud Mary Litherland, a laundress, born in the July quarter of 1878, Alice Litherland, a general servant, born in the January quarter of 1880, Sarah Ann Litherland, born on the 31st December 1887 and baptised on the 4th March 1888 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Walter Litherland, born 18th June 1890 and baptised on the 27th July 1890 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch and Alfred Litherland, born on the 2nd December 1894 in Ashby de la Zouch and baptised on the 2nd December 1894 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch all his step siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch. In April 1911 Percy was employed as a pipe carrier and was residing in the family home at Chapel Yard, The Green, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his father, an earthenware grate maker, his step mother and sibling Ada, a domestic worker, and step siblings, Walter, a pipe carrier and Alfred, a soap packer and a half-blood sibling, Mary Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1903 in Ashby de la Zouch. Percy also had another sibling, Frederick who was born in the January quarter of 1889 in Ashby de la Zouch and was baptised on the 7th July 1889 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch. Percy’s step brother, Alfred Litherland was killed in action on the 20th November 1915.
Percy’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Coalville into the Regular Army, date not known.
Joined. At place and date not known.
Posted. To Northumberland Fusiliers. Pte., date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 46661.
Posted. To 8th (Service) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers. Pte., date not known.
First entered the theatre of war after the 31st December 1915.
Promoted. Lance Corporal, place and date not known.
Killed in action. In the Field. 16/8/17.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 16/17/18 Aug-17 – Battalion formed up in attack formation. Operation Orders attached – Appendix I. Messages “IN” – Appendix II. Messages “OUT” – Appendix III. Narrative of Operations from night 14/15 August to night 17/18 August – Appendix IV.
APPENDIX IV.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS FROM Night 14/15 Aug. till 17/18 Aug. 1917.
On Y night (14/15) Battalion moved up from CANAL BANK at C.2.5.a.5.5 to relieve 6th YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT in front line right sub sector. Owing to the very muddy condition of the ground and the scattered dispositions of the posts the relief was not completed until 4.00am the following day, at which time one post (MON DU RASTA) had not been relieved. This however was carried out the following evening. Few casualties were incurred Captain F. G. BUCKLEY, M.C., Officer Commanding “W” Company being slightly wounded in the head, but remaining at duty and Lieutenant MURTON wounded. The dispositions of the Battalion on relief being completed was as follows: -
“W” Company – Captain F. G. BUCKLEY, M.C.
No.2 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant R. DEBARBIERI) in No.1 post (C.5.d.2.3.).
No.3 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant R. V. WATSON) in No.2 post (C.5.d.1.4.).
No.1 Platoon – (Sergeant CAVNOR) in support at (C.5.c.9.2.).
No.4 Platoon – With Company Headquarters near RED FARM (C.5.c.4.3.).
“Y” Company – Lieutenant R. G. McDONALD, M.C.
No.12 Platoon – In No.3 post (MON BULGARE) (C.5.c.8.5.).
No.9 Platoon – (Corporal VELLONI) in No.4 post (MON DU RASTA) C.5.a.7.1.).
No.10 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant NEILL) in No.5 post at (C.5.a.4.1.).
No.11 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant P. H. SATCHWELL) in reserve near Battalion Headquarters (C.10.c.6.5.).
“Z” Company – Captain W. B. ASH.
No.14 Platoon – (Sergeant WINCHESTER) near FERDINAND FARM in support to “W” Company.
No.13 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant P. THOMPSON) with No.15 (Sergeant CAWTHORNE) and 16 (2nd Lieutenant L. S. CHEESERIGHT) in support at VON WERDER FARM.
Company Headquarters – In MCDONALD’S WOOD (C.10.a.15.15.).
“X” Company – Captain A. ANGUS.
No.6 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant A. M. SCOTT) in support to “Y” Company near FERDINAND FARM.
No.5 Platoon – (2nd Lieutenant MURTON) with 7 (Sergeant HOSIER) and 8 Platoons (Sergeant MESSER) in MCDONALDS WOOD.
Company Headquarters and 2 Sections – In MCDONALDS WOOD at (C.10.a.15.15.).
Battalion Headquarters – At MINTY FARM (C.10.c.1.6.).
On Y/Z night the Battalion moved up into battle positions the following platoons incurring casualties in doing so “W” Company No.2 platoon, 2nd Lieutenant DEBARBIERI wounded. “X” Company, Company Headquarters and No.8 platoon from enemy’s barrage whilst passing FERDINAND FARM. “Y” Company No.12 platoon from bombs thrown from direction on MON BULGARE. “Z” Company No.14 platoon from MON BULGARE.
At ZERO the Battalion was formed up for attack as shown on attached sketch A. (vide appendix V).
Right sector of Battalion.
At ZERO till ZERO plus 5 the barrage in front of Nos. 1 and 2 platoons from C.5.d.2.4 to hedge at C.5.d.5.5 left a gap, there appearing to be no shrapnel except for two bursts at an interval of one minute, and heavy casualties were inflicted on these two platoons with rifle and Machine Gun fire from the direction of strong point at C.5.d.5.7.
At ZERO plus 5 the line advanced but the first line of “W” Company having lost severely from rifle and Machine Gun fire in the direction of their front and right was at once reinforced by the mopping up platoons of “Z” (Nos.15 and 16) and the supporting platoons of “Z” Nos.13 and 14. Captain BUCKLEY and Captain ASH were killed and shortly afterwards 2nd Lieutenant WATSON. Strong opposition was met with from the enemy occupying three lines of shell slits at about C.5.d.3.4 and in consequence of the gap in the barrage it was necessary to advance under one provided by rifle grenades and Lewis Guns. This was very effective and enabled 2nd Lieutenant THOMPSON who had taken charge of Nos. 1, 2 and 13 platoons to reach the shell slits, the enemy surrendering in the front line, and after heavy hand to hand fighting being driven out of the 2nd and 3rd lines. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and no prisoners were taken.
The right of the line continued to advance, but by this time the barrage, which had now increased in density, had lifted beyond some dug-outs at C.5.d.60.55 (Not shown on map), and it was necessary to advance under cover of Lewis Guns. The dug-outs were reached and some 20 occupants were killed.
At this point the right was enfiladed by three Machine Guns from direction of MON DU HIBOU which had not been occupied by the Brigade on the right, which had only advanced about 50 yards East of STEENBEEK. Lewis Gun fire and rifle grenades were brought to bear on MON DU HIBOU but the latter fell short, the former proving effective in silencing Machine Guns. 2nd Lieutenant THOMPSON signalled to Brigade on right to advance but only two men came on, being killed. It was necessary then to form a defensive flank to hedge at C.5.d.5.4 our right Lewis Gun being knocked out in doing so. Meanwhile 2nd Lieutenant CHEESRIGHT, who had taken charge of Nos. 3 and 4 platoons reinforced by No.16 and 15 platoons, had advanced under cover of Lewis Gun fire towards line of dug-outs at C.5.d.5.7 beyond which the barrage had lifted at ZERO plus 5. On approaching to within 75 yards the occupants retired towards MON DU HIBOU being caught by Lewis Guns on right and left and the parapet was occupied. Nos. 4 and 15 platoons under Sergeant CAWTHORNE then advanced to C.5.b.6.0 where they found a party of MANCHESTER’S. Some 40 prisoners were taken from here. No.14 platoon had apparently lost direction and was advancing with the right of “Y” Company.
Left sector of Battalion.
The barrage in front of this sector was very good. Nos.11 and a few of No.12 platoon advanced to within 300 yards of objective, killing the occupants of a strong point at C.5.b.4.2 en route. Officer Commanding “Y” Company (Lieutenant McDONALD) 2nd Lieutenant SATCHWELL were wounded and 2nd Lieutenant NEILL killed. Here they lost direction bearing towards CEMETERY where they joined Nos.9 and 11 platoons under Sergeant BARLOW, which had reached their objective, and huts beyond at O.29.d.9.2 but owing to barrage creeping backwards and forwards had to withdraw and consolidate about 100 yards West of objective in rear of CEMETERY. Meanwhile the platoons of “X” Company had proceeded as follows. No.5 platoon whose platoon commander 2nd Lieutenant MURTON and platoon Sergeant had become casualties lost direction and went off to the left. No.6 platoon under 2nd Lieutenant SCOTT who shortly became a casualty as well as platoon Sergeant, proceeded under command of L. C. FOWLER to C.5.a.9.4 which they mopped up. They then advanced and came under heavy Machine Gun and sniper fire from the right, when the platoon became separated, part of it going to the DORSETS on the left and part to the right. No.7 platoon under Sergeant HOSIER reached CEMETERY where they consolidated. No.8 platoon, who had suffered heavily, previously to forming up advanced under Sergeant MESSER to objective, and then withdrew to East of MON DU RASTA, where they consolidated at about C.5.b.3.6 (No.8 post). This position was maintained till dark, when two Companies of 7th SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT moved up into support at C.5.d.6.6 and C.5.b.6.0.
On the morning of 17th, the Brigade on the right attempted to clear MON DU HIBOU without success, and the line ran as follows, CEMETERY at C.5.a.8.6 to C.5.b.6.0 to dug-outs at C.5.d.6.7 to Hedge at C.5.d.6.4.
On the night 17/18th the Battalion was relieved by the 7th SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT and moved back to SIEGE CAMP.
CASUALTIES.
KILLED. Officers 5. Other Ranks 38.
WOUNDED. Officers 4 Other Ranks 227.
MISSING. Officers NIL. Other Ranks 39
DIED OF WOUNDS. Officers 1 Other Ranks 1.
TOTAL. Officers 10. Other Ranks 305.