Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Bareham a Prudential Assurance Company agent, born 1858 in Barnardiston, Suffolk and his wife Catharine Jane Bareham (nee Backler, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Risbridge, Suffolk district), born 1858 in Haverhill, Suffolk. Percy Vane was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Weston Colville, Cambridgeshire, his siblings were Philip James, a boot factory worker, born 1885 in Haverhill, Constance Irene, born 1889 in Linton, Cambridgeshire, Marjorie Cecilia, born 1891, Vernon Cecil, born 1892 and Frank Nelson, born 1895, the latter three siblings were all born in Weston Colville and Lily Melinda, born 1896 in Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, in March 1901 the family home was at High Street, Greetham, Rutland. In April 1911 Percy was employed as a milk vendor’s assistant and was residing in the family home at Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire together with his father, a cattle food traveller, his mother and siblings, Philip, a boot trade packer, Vernon, a boot and shoe shop assistant, Frank, an errand boy, Lily, a domestic nurse, also residing in the family home was Percy’s Nephew, Percy W. Bareham, born 1910 in Wellington, Salop. Percy had two other older siblings, Edith Jane, born 1883 and Rose Ethel, born 1884, both siblings were born in Haverhill. Although the family were all registered at birth with the official surname spelling of Bareham, at various times in both his and his families lives they adopted the spelling Barcham.
Percy attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 11th December 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his present address as 83, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, his age as 22 years and 126 days and his trade or calling as boot and shoe finisher. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray. He gave his father John Henry Bareham, later changed to his mother, Mrs. Bareham of 60, Lynton Street, Derby, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5½ inches in height, weighed 117 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 30 and 33½ inches. After attestation on the 11/12/15 in Melton Mowbray he was transferred as Private, service number 5869 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 27/1/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 27/1/16. Posted to the 2/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and allotted the service number 24757 on the 27/1/17. Admitted to hospital suffering from scabies on the 16/2/17. Discharged from hospital on the 24/3/17. Posted to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion on the 25/3/17. Posted to the 2/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 11/4/17. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 12/4/17. Joined 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 12/4/17. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and allotted the service number 202019 on the 4/5/17. Joined the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 8/5/17. Granted leave from the 20/2/18 to the 6/3/18. Reported missing in action, in the field on the 22/3/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service 27/1/16 – 11/4/17, 1 year 75 days. British Expeditionary Force France, 12/4/17 – 22/3/18, 345 days. Total service 2 years 45 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Percy’s mother Kate Barcham on the 8th September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Hy. J. Banas, J.P., 83, Uttoxeter Road, Derby on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Henry Barcham of 60, Lynton Street, Derby. Mother of soldier, Kate Barcham of 60, Lynton Street, Derby. Full blood brothers of soldier, Phillip Barcham, age 34 of 16, Bakewell Street, Derby. Vernon Barcham, age 27 of 68, Belson Street, St. Peter’s, South Australia. Frank Barcham, age 25 of 60, Lynton Street, Derby. Full blood sisters of soldier, Constance Smithson, age 30 of 85, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray. Edith Barcham, age 36 of The Grange, Thurnby, Leicester. Rose Barcham, age 35 of Treeloo, St. Mary’s Road, Leicester. Margery Barcham, age 29 of Knighton Road, Stoneygate. Lily Pritchett, age 23 of 39, Lynton Street, Derby. Nephews and Nieces of soldier, Percy Smithson, age 10 of 83, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray. Edith Smithson, age 6 of 83, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray. Connie Smithson, age 3 of 83, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray. Reggie Pritchett, age 4 of 39, Lynton Street, Derby. Percy Pritchett, age 1 of 39, Lynton Street, Derby. Eric Barcham, age 3 of 16, Bakewell Street, Derby. Uncles and Aunts by blood of the soldier, Susan Spicer of Haverhill, Suffolk. Annie Pavey of Haverhill, Suffolk. Frank Backler of Haverhill, Suffolk. Alfred Backler of Linton, Cambridgeshire. Chris Backler of Watford. George Bareham of Cambridge. Percy’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - The Battalion were in the VAULX - MORCHIES line. The night passed fairly quietly. The morning of the 22nd March dawned with a heavy fog and as soon as it was light the enemy put down a very heavy barrage on the VAULX - MORCHIES line and VAULX. During the night in order to concentrate the Battalion, “B” Company had been ordered to side step to the right and get into touch with “D” Company replacing 1 Company of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. Advice received during the morning that this was not effected. The Officer Commanding the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT refusing to move, as he had had no orders. At 8.30 am orders were received from Brigade for Battalion Headquarters to move to dug outs east of MARICOURT WOOD, the Commanding Officer, Adjutant and four Orderlies moved off at 9.00 am leaving the remainder to follow under Captain H. W. J. BROOKER. No dug outs could be found in the place to be occupied, so Battalion Headquarters was established at the CROSS ROADS I.4.d at 10.30 am sharing the same with the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT who had also moved. During the night of the 21st/22nd the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT and the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS withdrew from the VAULX - MORCHIES line to a position at I.10.0 central, their places being taken by 1 Company of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. At 11.00 am the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported that the enemy had broken through the VAULX - MORCHIES line between C.28.c. 85.15 and C.28.c 40.60. An officer of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported a few minutes later that the breach extended from C.28.d. 2.2 to C.27.b. 3.7 on a frontage held by 2 Companies of 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, 1 Company of the 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1 Company 8th BORDER REGIMENT. A request was sent to the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT to move up to cover valley from line SUNKEN ROAD I.4.c to I.3.d. Defensive flank for high ground east of VAULX WOOD regained by 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT and bombing parties sent forward to recover lost trenches. Reinforcements asked for, for left of Brigade front. At 11.40 am enemy reported massing in C.28.a.b.c.d. Officer Commanding “C” Company 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT reported that he had only 37 men left and that enemy were in VAULX WOOD. He was instructed to look after his left flank. 1 officer and 40 other ranks of 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT who had come from VAULX - MORCHIES line reported at Battalion Headquarters. At 2.00 pm “B” Company reported that they had gained some ground in bombing up the VAULX - MORCHIES line, and were continuing the bombing attack with the help of 1 officer and 60 other ranks of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. MARICOURT WOOD and the vicinity of Battalion Headquarters were heavily shelled throughout the morning. At 2.30 pm heavy bombardment by both sides opened on the right of the Brigade front. At 3.15 pm enemy seen from Battalion Headquarters pouring into VAULX - MORCHIES line between LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD and VAULX WOOD. At 3.45 pm the breach this time was effective and the situation was becoming very grave. The withdrawal became somewhat disorderly and the enemy came rapidly through C.28 to I.4., C.29.d and MORCHIES. A Ridge in I.10.a and c was held by our Machine gunners, and troops withdrawing were collected and an orderly withdrawal instituted to the partially consolidated line in I.10 central. Up to this time only 1 man (wounded, belonging to “B” Company) of the Battalion had come back from the VAULX - MORCHIES line. At 4.30 pm the enemy brought up his light machine guns with great rapidity and was soon putting up a strong barrage with them along the valley in I.10 central and the ridges east and west of it. This valley and the heights were thickly held by troops of 25th Division. An immediate counter attack was urgently required if the VAULX - MORCHIES line was to be regained, but all the troops holding the new line had orders that they were on no account to move forward. The line ran through C.11.c, I.10.d, I.10.c and I.9.d. Eventually a number of Tanks (about 16) in the visible front came forward and under very heavy shell and Machine Gun fire advanced as far as the VAULX - MORCHIES line with most of the enemy retiring before them. This Tank attack was not supported by infantry and gradually petered out as the Tanks became casualties or used up all their ammunition. At 9.00 pm the remnants of the 3 Battalions of the Brigade were:- 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT about 40 all ranks under Lieutenant Colonel F. LATHAM, D.S.O. 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT about 80 all ranks under Lieutenant C. P. BASSENTHWAITE. 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS about 40 all ranks under Captain GILES were disposed in sections of trench in valley in I.10.c with Battle Headquarters at I.10.d.10.90. The night passed quietly. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 6 killed, 14 wounded, 46 missing, “B” Company 3 killed, 14 wounded, 83 missing, “C” Company 6 killed, 21 wounded, 49 missing, “D” Company 1 killed, 12 wounded, 113 missing. Officer casualties Lieutenant Acting Captain F. E. SHELTON killed, 2nd Lieutenant G. MANSFIELD wounded and missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain J.H. JOHN missing, Lieutenant B. C. LAWRENCE missing, 2nd Lieutenant O. C. HARPER missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. H. BAGSHAW missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. C. ANSELL missing, 2nd Lieutenant M. MILLS missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain S. T. HARTSHORNE wounded remained at duty, Captain F. TAYLOR (U.S.M.S.) wounded remained at duty.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “INFORMATION REQUIRED.” – Mrs. Smithson, who resides at 83, Saxby-rd., Melton Mowbray, has received official information that her brother Pte. Percy Bareham, Leicester’s, has been missing since March 22nd. The notification states that although every investigation has been made no trace of him can be found. Pte. Bareham, who is 23 years of age joined up with the first lot under Lord Derby’s group system, and has been in France 12 months, having previously gone through the Irish Rebellion. He experienced great hardships during the Cambrai Battle, his Company being cut off for 48 hours. Before enlistment he was employed by Messrs. Rowell and Sons, boot and shoe makers, and lived with his sister, Mrs. Smithson, who would be glad to receive any particulars concerning his fate should this meet the eye of any of his comrades who are able to give her information.
On Friday August 23rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER KILLED. On Thursday morning Mr. J. H. Bareham, 60, Lynton-st., Derby, received a letter from Lce.-Corpl. Kay, West Yorks, addressed from a Prisoners of War Camp in Germany, stating that his son, Pte. Percy Bareham, Leicestershire Regiment, was killed on the 21st March, and that they buried him with 30 others at Morchies. Nothing had been heard of him since the receipt of an official notification that he was posted as missing on March 21st. Before joining up on the 24th January, 1916, he was employed by Messrs. Rowell and Sons, boot and shoe manufacturers and repairers and lodged with Mr. Smithson, Saxby-rd., Melton. He served throughout the Irish Rebellion, and went out to France over a year ago. Deceased visited Melton Mowbray whilst on leave a week prior to the opening of the German offensive.
On Friday August 30th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. Bareham and family, 60, Lynton St., Derby, and Mr. and Mrs. Smithson, Saxby Rd., thank all friends for sympathy shown to them in their sad bereavement.