DUCKWORTH Percy Blezard

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral.

Percy Duckworth was born on 27th June 1893. He attended Worcester Royal Grammar School from September 1902 to July 1910.

Percy Duckworth worked at the Droitwich branch of Lloyds Bank. His name appears on the Lloyds Bank War Memorial unveiled at the Head Office on 8th February 1921 and in the company’s Memorial Album 1914 1918.

Percy Duckworth
Lloyd’s Bank Memorial Album

Two different photographs of Lance Corporal/Second Lieutenant P.B. Duckworth can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 25th December 1915 and Saturday 28th April 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.

The following information is from the Worcester Daily Times 17th April 1917 and the Worcester Herald 21st April 1917:
Percy Duckworth was born on 27th June 1893. He attended Worcester Royal Grammar School from September 1902 to July 1910.

Percy Duckworth was the eldest son of Thomas and S. Elizabeth Alice Duckworth of Bank House, Barbourne, Worcester. His father was city librarian. A letter from the chaplain (Rev. J.W. Hunkin): ‘On Monday morning, April 9th, the battery was supporting the advance of the infantry, and a big enemy shell made a direct hit on one of our guns. The gun itself was destroyed, the detachment was killed, and your son, who was in charge, was also killed. He died instantly and we buried his body together with another officer and seven men of the same battery in the Arras cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. As you will gather, the Warwick Battery has suffered very heavily lately. I cannot tell you how grieved we are at your son’s loss. He had not long come to the Warwicks, but he had already become very popular amongst the men. It will be some comfort to you to know that his death was painless and he gave his life for his country. But I know what a heavy loss it must be’.

He would have been 24 in June next. Educated at Worcester Royal Grammar School and was subsequently a clerk at the Capital & Counties Bank at Malvern, Bromyard & Droitwich. He was a Private in the 8th (Territorial) Worcestershire and was in camp when war broke out. Went with the 8th Worcesters to France and in December 1915, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant. He was well known in the city. Of a frank and cheery disposition, his many engaging qualities made him popular and he was regarded by his seniors as a young man of promise.

Bromsgrove Weekly Messenger 21st April 1917:
Percy Duckworth was killed in action on Easter Monday at Arras.  He and another officer and seven men were killed by a German shell which also destroyed the gun they were attached to. Educated at Worcester Royal Grammar school, he was previously employed as a Clerk at the Capital & Counties Bank at Malvern, Bromyard and Droitwich. He served in 8th Worcesters before being commissioned. Son of Mr T. Duckworth, city librarian.

The following information has been researched by Geoff Hill:
1901 Census
Cedar House, Henwick Road, Worcester
Percy Duckworth, aged 7
At the same address: Thomas (father), Librarian and Secretary; mother, 1 brother, 1 sister and 1 servant.

1911 Census
Percy Duckworth, aged 17, bank clerk, born Blackburn, Lancashire.
Resident at Fairlawn, Upton Road, Torquay, Devon with his father (both noted as visitors).
Bank House, New Bank Street, Barbourne
Elizabeth Duckworth (mother)
At the same address: 1 brother, 1 sister and 1 servant.

Medal Roll Index Card:
Recruited as Private, 1st/8th Worcestershire Regiment, promoted to Lance Corporal. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in Royal Field Artillery.