PERKS William George

The following information is courtesy of Brian Hill:
William was born in Bishampton in 1882, the eldest of four sons and four daughters. His parents were William Henry and Eliza Perks.

In 1911 he was working as a shepherd in Finedon, Northants.
He enlisted in Worcester in December 1914 into the 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He first entered France in 1916. In the same year he was wounded and lost his left thumb, remaining in England until October 1916.

On the day previous to his recorded death, the Battalion were in trenches South of Ploegsteert Wood, when the front line and communication trenches were bombarded by heavy trench mortars, causing casualties.

The Chaplain wrote to his parents “It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I have to give you the sad news of the death in action of your son. ……. He was in the trenches when he was killed by a shell. I believe that his death was instantaneous, and he can have suffered no pain. He was buried the next day in a little cemetery close behind the trenches. A handsome wooden cross is being erected over his grave, which will always be carefully looked after. The Commanding Officer, his company officers and comrades all send you their sincerest sympathy”

With thanks to “Bishampton Remembers, Those Who Served”, researched by Peter Jesson and Charles Rigg, published by the Bishampton History Society, for much of this information.