Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Crowden, a butcher, born 1854 in Seaton, Rutland and his wife Emily Crowden (nee Dowell, married on the 18th December 1882 in Twyford Parish Church, Leicestershire), born 1860 in Barwell, Leicestershire. Percy Wright was born on the 10th December 1888 in Exton, Rutland and baptised on the 10th December 1889 in Exton Parish Church, his siblings were, John William Dowell, born 1884 and baptised on the 12th February 1884 in Exton Parish Church, Horace Hare, born 1885 and baptised on the 29th April 1885 in Exton Parish Church, Ruby Augusta, born 1886 and baptised on the 27th October 1886 in Exton Parish Church and Wilfred, born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in Exton, Rutland and baptised on the 25th April 1891 in Exton Parish Church, all his siblings were born in Exton, also residing in the family home were Percy’s Uncle, Henry Edward Baines, born 1846 in Preston, Rutland and his wife Maria Elizabeth Baines, born 1855 in Barwell, in April 1891 the family home was at the Butcher’s Shop, Exton, Rutland. In March 1901 Percy, was employed as a shepherd’s boy, and was residing in the family home at Stamford Road, Exton, together with his father, a farmer and butcher’s shop keeper, his mother and siblings, William, an agricultural labourer, Elsie Mary, born 1898 and baptised on the 18th October 1898 in Exton Parish Church and Edgar Parker, born 18th December 1899 and baptised on the 1st April 1900 in Exton Parish Church, the latter two siblings were both born in Exton, also residing in the family home were Percy’s Cousins, Francis Albert Stannage, a butcher’s assistant, born 1878 in Twyford, Leicestershire, Constance Augusta Baines, a dressmaker, born 11th January1879 in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 12th October 1879 in Earl Shilton Parish Church and Herbert Cecil Stannage, a butcher’s assistant, born 1880 in Twyford. In April 1911 Percy was absent from the family home at Bank House, Thrussington, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Wilfred, a draper’s apprentice, Elsie, a schoolgirl, Edgar, a schoolboy, Beatrice Emily, born 1892 and baptised on the 1st January 1893 in Exton Parish Church and Frank Cecil, a farm worker, born 1894 and baptised on the 12th March 1895 in Exton Parish Church, the latter two siblings were both born in Exton and Robert Edward, born 1902 and baptised on the 17th August 1902 in Thrussington Parish Church. Percy married Edith Alice Lane on the 3rd November 1913 in the Parish Church of St. James, Aylestone Park, Leicester. They had a son, John Ernest born 7th January 1916 in Twyford. Percy’s widow resided at 88, Knighton Lane, Aylestone Park, Leicester in 1918 and was then recorded residing in Twyford in 1919. Percy’s younger brother Wilfred also fell in action in March 1918.
Percy was enrolled into the Army (For men deemed to be enlisted in H.M. Regular Forces for General Service with the Colours or in the Reserve for the period of the War, under the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916) on the 16th October 1916 in Leicester. He gave his present address as Twyford, Leicestershire, his age as 28 years and 14 days and his trade or calling as butcher. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife, Edith Alice Crowden of Twyford, Melton Mowbray, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¼ inches in height, and he had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 32681 on the 16/10/16. Transferred to the 2/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment on the 19/10/16. Allocated the service number 17009. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 13/1/17. Disembarked at Havre on the 14/1/17. New service number 204216 allotted. Admitted to the 21st Field Ambulance, in the field suffering from I.C.T. left finger, on the 4/7/17. Transferred to the 49th Casualty Clearing Station on the 5/7/17. Admitted to the 12th General Hospital, Rouen on the 8/7/17. Transferred to Infantry Base, Rouen on the 1/9/17. Transferred to 34 Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples on the 3/9/17. Rejoined the 2/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment, in the field on the 15/9/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 26/11/17. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 16/10/16 – 12/1/17, 89 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 13/1/17 – 26/11/17, 318 days. Total service 1 year 42 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Percy’s widow and child were awarded a weekly pension of twenty shillings and five pence to commence on the 17th June 1918. 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 and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 25-26 Nov-17 – HAVRINCOURT WOOD. 2.30 pm. The Battalion moved into the line to relieve part of the 40th Division. It marched via HERMIES, RUYAULCOURT and GRAINCOURT to the SUGAR FACORY in E.29.a, arriving about 8.30 pm.
“A” Company held the line from E.18.a.65.95 to E.18.a.90.90.
“B” Company held from E.18.a.8.8 along the edge of the wood to E.12.d.7.4.
“C” Company held from E.12.c.1.2 to E.18.a.65.95.
“D” Company held from E.12.c.1.2 to E.11.d.80.05.
Battalion Headquarters was in the QUARRY at E.24.c.
The war Diary records: 27 Nov.17. The Brigade less the Battalion attacked BOURLON VILLAGE unsuccessfully. This Battalion was in support but was not called upon to advance.