Pte 235340 Percy Henry Wollaston

• Age: 32
• From: Ipswich, Suffolk
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 31st July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Percy Henry Wollaston (born Woolison) was born in 1885 in Ipswich and was the son of Frederick Augustus Wollaston and his wife Harriet Emma (nee Woodyard). 

Percy resided in Hexham and his mother in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 3 Handford Road, Ipswich. His father, Frederick, is aged 51 born Darrington, Warwickshire and his occupation is shown as a glazier. His mother, Harriet, is aged 34 and was born in Ipswich. They have four children, Archibald aged 11 born Colchester, Frederick Augustus aged 8 born Ipswich, Percy aged 6 and Florence aged 3 also born in Ipswich.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 61 Handford Road, Ipswich. His father, Frederick, is now shown to be aged 64 is a painter. His mother, Harriet, is aged 42. Archibald has left the household. Frederick Augustus aged 18 is a bricklayer, Percy aged 16 is a tailor and Florence is now aged 14. They have two further children Victor aged 9 and Evelyn aged 6 both born in Ipswich. They also have two boarders living at the address, Henry Fisk, aged 33 born 1868 occupation Carpenter/Joiner and Harry Makew aged 23 born 1878 and a Blacksmith.

His father, Frederick, died in Ipswich in 1906. 

The 1911 Census show Percy now aged 26, unmarried, and occupation tailor and he is one of two boarders at Roseneath Cottage, 32 Battle Hill. He was employed by Mr Rose, tailor and outfitter of Battle Hill.

He enlisted in Hexham, Northumberland and originally served as Private 243121 in the Yorkshire Regiment and was serving in the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 235340 when he was killed in action on the 31st July 1917 aged 32 during the Third Battle of Ypres.  

"During the advance on 31 July, Percy  was hit in the groin by shrapnel. Apparently the wound was dressed and he was left for stretcher bearers to carry him from the field of battle but sadly there was no further news of him. "

He was killed in action on 31st July 1917 on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

On that day, the 89th Brigade was to follow up the attacks of the 21st and 90th Brigades and once their objectives had been taken, to go through them and secure a line of strong points on the German third line. The 89th Brigade line of attack was from the South West corner of Polygon Wood, to the Menin Road. The 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment was on the left of the attack, and the 20th to the right, with the 19th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment, in Divisional Reserve.

On that day, the 89th Brigade was to follow up the attacks of the 21st and 90th Brigades and once their objectives had been taken, to go through them and secure a line of strong points on the German third line. The 89th Brigade line of attack was from the South West corner of Polygon Wood, to the Menin Road. The 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment was on the left of the attack, and the 20th to the right, with the 19th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment, in Divisional Reserve.

Percy's body was not recovered or subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

His soldiers effects went to his mother, Harriet, no Pension record has been found.

Percy is also commemorated on the  following Memorials;

Ipswich War Memorial,

St Peter’s Church War Memorial, Hexham

Hexham Northumberland War Memorial

His mother died, aged 82, in the March quarter of 1941, her death was registered in Market Harborough, Leics.

We currently have no further information on Percy Henry Wollaston, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.