Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Willett, a bricklayer, born 1859 in Markfield, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Willett (nee Littlewood, married in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district)), born 1861 in Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire. Gerald Percy was born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in Wymondham, Leicestershire, in April 1891 Gerald was residing at West End, Wymondham together with his mother, a dressmaker. In March 1901 Gerald was residing in the family home at Gypsy Lane, Wymondham, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Charles William, born in the 2nd quarter of 1893 and Alfred James, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Wymondham. In April 1911 Gerald was absent from the family home in Wymondham, residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings Charles, a domestic groom and Alfred, a domestic footman, Gerald was employed as an under gardener and was residing as a boarder at Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire. Gerald’s younger brother Charles William also fell.
Gerald attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 24th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his address as South Witham, Grantham, Lincolnshire, his age as 23 years and 262 days and his trade or calling as platelayer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he had previously served with the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was time expired in 1912. He gave his father, William Willett of Wymondham, Oakham, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height, weighed 132 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches. His physical development was described as normal. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 16160 on the 26/11/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Aldershot on the 3/12/14. Posted with his Battalion to Folkestone on the 28/2/15. Posted with his Battalion to Perham Down on the 8/4/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to the 15th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a gunshot wound to his back, in the field on the 25/9/16. Transferred to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station on the 27/9/16. Admitted to the 26th General Hospital in Etaples on the 29/9/16. Transferred to the 6th Convalescent Depot on the 11/10/16. Transferred to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot in Calais on the 3/11/16. Rejoined his Battalion in the field on the 20/11/16. Deprived of 5 days pay for the loss of his respirator on the 14/5/17. Admitted sick to Field Ambulance on the 22/8/17. Admitted to the 64th W.L Field Ambulance suffering NYD enteritis on the 23/8/17. Transferred to the 45th Casualty Clearing Station on the 25/8/17. Admitted to the 2nd General Hospital at Le Havre on the 1/9/17. Transferred to the 4th Convalescent Depot at Le Havre on the 20/9/17. Transferred to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot at Calais on the 5/10/17. rejoined his Battalion, in the field on the 12/10/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 17/10/17. Gerald was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Gerald’s mother Hannah Willett on the 23rd August 1919, and was witnessed and signed by F. B. A. Williams, Clerk in Holy Orders, Wymondham Rectory, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, William Willet of Wymondham, Oakham. Mother of soldier, Hannah Willett of Wymondham, Oakham. Full blood brother of soldier, Alfred James Willett, age 24 of 11, North Parade, Grantham. Gerald’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.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – WYMONDHAM. – OUR HEROES. It is with deep regret that we have to state Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, grocers and drapers, received the sad intelligence from the War Office that their fifth son, Pte. Fred Johnson, Durham Light Infantry, was killed on the 18th September. Prior to joining the army, deceased was employed on the Midland Railway, as clerk in the Goods department at Sheffield, and was 30 years of age. Very many sympathetic letters have been received from his many friends in Sheffield, he being dearly loved by all who knew him. News has also come to hand of the death of John Veasey, but nothing official has yet been received. Two sons of Mr. and Mrs Willett have been wounded, one is home on leave and is going on well. Mr. Robert Knott has been informed that all three of his sons who are serving at the front have been wounded, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clarke have been notified that their son, Herbert, is wounded and lying in hospital at Fishponds, Bristol, with fractured leg and shrapnel in his foot.
The War Diary records: 17-22 Oct-17 - CAMP AT HAZEBROUCK. Cable trench digging parties were found daily by the Battalion for work in the forward areas between CLAPHAM JUNCTION and FITZ CLARENCE FARM J.14.d.45.95. (Reference GHELUVELT), this was carried out under very trying circumstances the men working in heavy hostile barrages, and moving to and from the work under shell fire. More working parties were -?- to and from the camp in motor lorries. Casualties, 1 officer wounded 2nd Lieutenant F. C. FLOOD, and 86 other ranks killed, wounded and missing.
On Friday October 26th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – WYMONDHAM. KILLED IN ACTION.- Mr and Mrs Willett received a letter from the Chaplain on Tuesday morning with the information, that their son Percy was killed on the 17th of this month.