Pte 15668 Percy Valentine Wright

• Age: 24
• From: Aigburth
• Regiment: 13th KLR
• Died on Saturday 26th May 1917
• Commemorated at: Allerton Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: V.CE.17

Percy was born on 15^th February 1893 the son of Henry Francis Wright and his wife Harriet (nee Welch) who married in Liverpool in 1887. His father was born in Chelmsford, Essex, and his mother in Hoole, Cheshire.  He was baptised on 26^th March at All Hallows, Allerton. At the time of his baptism his parents were living at Yew Tree Lodge; his father was a gardener by trade. Percy was the middle child of three sons, older brother Francis, and younger brother Cecil. 

In 1901 the family is living at “Verdala Towers”, Allerton Road, Liverpool.  His father is a domestic gardener. Percy is 8.

In 1911 they are living next door at Yew Tree Lodge, Allerton. His father is 49 years of age and  still employed as a domestic gardener, his mother is also 49 but has no occupation listed. Percy is 18, and is working as a clerk in a cotton office. His two brothers are listed as; Francis William a 22 year old employed by LNW Railways, and Cecil Arthur an 11 year old schoolboy.

Percy enlisted in Liverpool on 01^st September 1914, as Private 15668 in the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He gives his age as 21 years and 200 days and his occupation as clerk. He is described as being 5’11 and a half inches tall, weighing 147lbs, with brown hair and eyes. He gives his next of kin as his father, living at Crofton Cottage, Sudley Road, Aigburth.

He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 23rd February 1915, but while training at Grantham, Linconshire, Percy overstayed his leave three times. On the first occasion, he was 22+ hours late, was reprimanded and forfeited two days’ pay. For the second offence he was 5+ hours late and reprimanded. The third time he was 6+ hours late, forfeited one day’s pay, and was reverted to Private.

Percy was wounded in action in the buildup to the Battle of the Somme, on 27^th June 1916. He received a gunshot wound to the buttocks and thighs and was sent to 96 Field Ambulance. From there he was sent to 21 Casualty Clearing Station, and admitted to 6 General Hospital in Rouen on the 29^th. The next day he was transferred to the U.K. on the Hospital ship Aberdonian.

Percy was reported wounded in the Liverpool Daily Post on 18th July 1916. 

He was posted to the 3^rd Bn Depot on th September 1916 and to the 24^th Bn on 14th November 1916. He was in the U.K. recovering from wounds until 15^th November 1916, when he returned to France and was posted to the 12^th Bn KLR at Etaples and then to the 13^th Bn in the field on the 25^th.

He attended the 3^rd Army sniping School on 11th February 1917. During that time he was forfeited 2s 2d for missing two pair of socks.

Percy was again wounded in action on 09^th April 1917, receiving a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and was taken to 7 Field Ambulance, from where he was sent to 6 Stationary Hospital, then to 11 General Hospital. On 22^nd April he was transferred to the U.K. on board the Hospital ship St. Patrick.

Percy was treated for his wounds at 3^rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth, London,  he then developed a bacterial skin infection, and succumbed to his wounds, dying at 10:30 a.m. on 26^th May 1917 at Western Hospital, Seagrave Road, Fulham, S.W. London. 

Soldiers Effects to father Henry F., Pension to mother Harriet, Oakwood Lodge, Elmswood Rd, Liverpool 

His body was taken to Liverpool for a private burial. He was buried in Allerton Cemetery in Liverpool on 31^st May 1917.

Percy does not have a CWGC gravestone. His parents are buried with him, his father who died just before Christmas in 1933, and his mother in 1936.

There are 419 First World Burials in the Cemetery.

A notice was placed in the Liverpool Post on 15^th February 1918, on what would have been Percy’s 25^th birthday:

“In loving birthday remembrance of Private Percy V. Wright, who died of wounds received in France. Fondly remembered by Frank and Ada”.  

This was likely his brother Francis.

Percy is commemorated on the following memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Additions Panel 2 

Garston Roll of Honour

St. Anne’s C of E church, Aigburth

Liverpool Cotton Association

All Hallows C of E Church, Allerton.

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