Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George William Dorman, a butcher, born 1864 in Leicester and his wife Annie Dorman (nee Sewell, married in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in the Leicester district), born 1867 in Leicester. Percy James was born in the 3rd quarter of 1892 in Leicester, his siblings were, Edith Mary, born 1889, William John, born 1890, Stephen George, born 1896 and Florence May, born 1898, all his siblings were born in Leicester, also residing in the family home was Percy’s cousin Sarah Ann Elizabeth Dorman, born 1883 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 47, Deacon Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Percy was employed as a carpenter and was residing in the family home at Ivy House, Main Road, Narborough, Leicestershire, together with his father a farmer and butcher, his mother and siblings, Edith, assisting in the family business, William, a stationary engine man, Stephen, an assistant butcher, Florence, a schoolgirl, Phyllis Annie, born 1902 in Leicester and Maud, born 1906 in Narborough, also residing in the family home were Percy’s cousins, Sarah Dorman, a domestic worker in the home and Elsie Coles, an elastic web factory winder, born 1895 in Leicester.
Percy attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) and in the Reserve on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, his age as 22 years and 250 days and his trade or calling as artificial stone finisher. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, George William Dorman, his mother Annie Dorman, two brothers and four sisters all of Narborough, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7¾ inches in height, weighed 140 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 38 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and dark brown hair. It was noted that he had a scar on his right forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 14561 on the 8/9/14. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 25/9/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal, in the field on the 3/2/16. Appointed paid Lance Corporal, in the field on the 26/3/16. Killed in action, in the field, place not stated on the 14/7/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 8/9/14 - 28/7/15, 324 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 14/7/16, 352 days. Total service 1 year 312 days. Percy was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Percy’s father George William Dorman on the 21st May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by H. A. Tomlinson, Clerk in Holy Orders, Narborough Rectory, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, George William Dorman of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Mother of soldier, Annie Dorman of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Full blood brothers of soldier, William John Dorman, age 29 of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Stephen George Dorman, age 23 of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Full blood sisters of soldier, Edith Mary Dorman, age 31 of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. May Dorman, age 22 of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Phyllis Dorman, age 16 of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Maud Dorman, age 13 of Main Street, Narborough, Leicestershire. Percy’s surviving service documents are in 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 history.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - FRICOURT. Battalion moved off at 12.15am and moved up to the southern edge of MAMETZ WOOD. Fairly heavy shelling. They reached the reserve position MAMETZ WOOD 500 yards west of the front edge at 3.20am just as intense bombardment of German trenches began, and either went into existing trenches or dug in. At 5.20am “B” Company (Captain ANDERSON) and 1 platoon of “A” Company moved over to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD to reinforce the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT They finally reached the north of the wood of village and as far as possible dug themselves in. They were mixed up with the 6th, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Heavy casualties including all Company officers. At 6.00am remainder of “A” Company moved to German 1st line trench and started to consolidate it. 2 platoons of “C” Company taken to Brigade Headquarters for carrying. At 8.15am Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with “D” Company and ½ of “C” Company moved to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG had orders to take over defence on the north western and western edge of the wood which was being heavily shelled. At 8.45am “D” Company (Lieutenant NOLAN) directed on the north western corner of the wood to clear wood and dig in on the edge. 2 platoons of “C” Company in support trench with Battalion Headquarters. Between 9.00am and 12.00 noon “D” Company met with heavy opposition and reached forward support line but failed to clear wood. Lieutenant NOLAN was killed. Lieutenant de LISLE and Lieutenant SMITH were wounded. Between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm Germans threatened counter attack, very heavy shelling of all lines. “A” Company brought to Battalion Headquarters and 2 platoons sent to reinforce 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. At 12.00 noon Colonel KUMME, 2 officers and 30 men captured by “D” Company. Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm Brigadier came and ordered all available men to attack the north western edge of the wood. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain EMMETT and 2nd Lieutenant STEPHENS with about 50 men advanced roping in about 100 men of 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as supports. Captain EMMETT with 40 men reached the north western edge of the wood and killed 4 German observers and attempted to charge the German trenches 50 yards from the edge of the wood. Captain EMMETT and 36 men were killed by machine gun fire. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and a few of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had reached the railway line and came under enfilade machine gun fire (Lieutenant STEPHENS was killed). The edge of the wood close to the village was cleared and a small drive was organised towards Captain EMMETT’S party. They came under heavy sniping fire and Lieutenant HINCKLEY was wounded and most of his men killed or wounded. 7.00pm all posts started consolidating where they were. Patrols sent out constantly from the strong posts. Rough positions as below (On the Battalion Diary page a rough sketch shows the positions of the Companies) Between 9.00pm and 11.00pm heavy shelling and enemy rifle fire but no actual organised attack.