Percy Sheldon

Percy Sheldon was born in 1886 the son of Arthur Fletcher Sheldon a clerk and former poor law railway officer and Emma Elizabeth Sheldon (née Jones). Arthur Fletcher Sheldon was born in 1853 at Nottingham and Emma Elizabeth Jones was born in 1863 also at Nottingham. Married in 1881 they had seven children - Harriett Eveline b.1883 Bulwell, Thomas Arthur b.1884 Kimberley, Percy b.1886 Kimberley, William Fowley b.1888 Kimberley (killed in action 4/11/1918), Albert b.1892 Kimberley, Daisy Letitia b.1897 Kimberley and Faith Annie b.1899 Hucknall. In 1891, they lived on Noel Street, Kimberley. In 1911 they lived at 74 Co-operative Avenue, Hucknall. Harriett was an infants’ mistress, Thomas a mechanic, Albert a miner and Daisy a machinist.

Percy was employed as a tailor.

Percy enlisted at Ripon in Yorkshire, into the West Yorkshire Regiment and after his training he was posted to the 1/8th(Leeds Rifles) Battalion of the regiment.Beginning in mid July 1917, the British started to bombard the German lines in the Ypres Salient in readiness for the forthcoming planned British attack in that area. The Third battle of Ypres was launched on the 31st July and was aimed at capturing the Passchendaele Ridge. Percy was wounded during the early part of this battle and was passed back down the line to a Field Hospital and then on to a Base hospital on the Coastal Downs at Wimereux, not far from Calais. From there he was to be returned to England for treatment. He died of his wounds and gas poisoning on the 2nd August at the Base hospital. A memorial step on the family grave in Redhill Cemetery Arnold, shows that he died of gas poisoning at Boulogne. He is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France, Plot II. Row O. Grave 16A.

additional information Peter Gillings