Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edwin Willingham an odd job man, born 1851 in Keelby, Lincs., and his wife Betsy Willingham (nee Twidale), born 1857 in Maltby, Lincs. Percy was born in 1894 in Healing, Lincs., his siblings were, Aldridge, a domestic groom, born 1881 in Great Limber, Lincs., Alice, born 1888 in Brocklesby, Lincs., John, born 1893 and Hilda, born 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Healing, Lincs., in March 1901 the family home was at Healing, Lincs. In April 1911 Percy was employed as a tailor’s apprentice and was residing in the family home at Edmondthorpe, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Walter, an ironstone worker, born 1886 in Brocklesby, Lincs., Annie a domestic cook, born 1884 in Great Limber, Lincs., and Hilda a schoolgirl. Percy married Grace Clipshane Simkin, born 1896 in Tugby, Leics., in the second quarter of 1916 in the Marylebone, Middlesex Marriage Registration District. On Friday May 18th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “EDMONDTHORPE” – FALLEN HEROES.- Mr and Mrs Willingham have received the sad intelligence that their youngest son Pte. Percy (Pop) Willingham died on April 29th. The first intimation was sent to his wife in a telegram. “R201 Deeply regret 53652 Pte. Willingham, Machine Gun Corps., died April 29th at 33 Casualty Clearing Station, France from shrapnel wound head.” Further Mrs Willingham received a letter from Lieut. R. H. Bullman, M. G. Coy, in which he said. “It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, who died of wounds received whilst in action on the 28th April 1917. It may be of comfort to you to know that the wound was received whilst in a tight corner, and face to face with the enemy, during which time your husband showed devotion to duty in staying as long as possible with the remainder of the team.” Pte. Percy Willingham was in the Territorial Force before the war broke out, so was called up at once. Mr and Mrs Willingham have another son in the Navy, and a son in law in the Army serving in France. Deceased had been married just over a year when killed, and much sympathy is felt for his young widow, as well as the aged parents and family. On Friday June 15th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” - The following local casualties are officially reported. Wednesday’s list included:- DIED OF WOUNDS. MACHINE GUN CORPS. Willingham, 53652 P. (Tugby).