Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Perry, a shoemaker, born on the 29th October 1860 in Birmingham, Warwickshire (son of William Perry, 1840 and Agnes Robins, 1840) and his wife Harriett Annie Perry (nee Thompson, married in the April quarter of 1879 in Leicester), born 1859 in Leicester. William was born in the October quarter of 1895 in Leicester, his siblings were, Samuel, a shoe maker, born in the October quarter of 1880, Annie, a shoe trade machinist, born in the January quarter of 1883, Sarah, a shoe trade machinist, born on the 24th November 1884, Clara, a shoe trade machinist, born in the April quarter of 1887, Mary Emma, born on the 1st February 1889 and George, born in the April quarter of 1891, Alice, born in the July quarter of 1893 and Primrose, born on the 15th April 1900 and baptised on the 28th May 1900 in St. Barnabas’s Church, Leicester, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 194, Victoria Road East, Leicester. William also had another sibling, Agnes Jane, who was born on the 20th December 1879 in Leicester and died on the 13th February 1880 in Leicester. In April 1911 William’s father was employed as a boot trade laster and was residing as a visitor at 8, Collier’s Cottages, Short Street, Leicester. William’s elder brother George was killed in action on the 17th August 1917.
William enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 25th September 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec and was allotted the service number 42366. He gave his date of birth as 18th October 1894, place of birth as Leicester, England, his next of kin as Mrs. Harriett Perry, 174, Kensington Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, marital status as unmarried and his trade or calling as pattern maker.
He confirmed that he had previously served for 3 years with the 4th Canadian Field Artillery.
His descriptive examination that took place on the 3rd September 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec recorded that his apparent age was 19 years 9 months, he was 5 feet 10 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. His physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, 3 vaccination scars on left arm, scar on right knee, mole on back of neck, he gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Unit sailed. 3/10/14.
Posted. To Canadian Field Artillery. Gunner.
Posted. To 11th Battery, 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. 1/3/15.
Posted. To 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Promoted Bombardier. 8/5/15.
Died in No.2 Casualty Clearing Station, from gunshot wound to right arm. 22/8/15.
Buried in Bailleul Cemetery, Grave II 1582. 23/8/15.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William’s service record is in good condition and offers an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his short military service.
MILITARY Note: William’s father, Mr. Samuel Perry, was recorded in his service record to be residing at 39, Devonshire Street, Leicester. William gave the date of his birth as October 1894 however he was officially recorded to have been born in the October quarter of 1895 in Leicester.
On Monday January 3rd 1916, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – PERRY. – Killed in action 22nd August 1915, William Perry, Bombardier, C.F.A., late of 96, Duxbury Road, Leicester.
[recognitum V-II-MMXXIII]