Percival Hutchinson

Percival (Percy) was the son of Henry and Ada Hutchinson (née Johnson). His parents, who were both born in Sneinton, were married in 1894 (reg. Nottingham) and had six children who were also born in Sneinton: Percival b. 1895, Frederick Harold b. 1896, Grace b. 1898, Henry b. 1906, Arthur b. 1907 and Sidney b. 1910. In 1901 Henry, a house painter, and Ada, a lace mender, were living on Walker Street with their three children, Percy, Frederick and Grace. However, by 1911 the family had moved to 5 Bramley Place, Haywood Street, Nottingham. All six children were in the home on the night of the census: Percy occupation lace curtain designing and drafting, Frederick a van lad (Great Central Railway), Grace who was school age and Henry, Arthur and Sidney. There is a record of a Percy Hutchinson age 17, occupation designer, who departed Liverpool on 14 March 1913 onboard SS Virginia bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Percy may have emigrated under the juvenile emigration scheme sponsored by Oliver Hind, founder of the Dakeyne Street Lads' Club. When Percival enlisted in May 1915 he named his mother, Ada Hutchinson, of 5 Clarence Stairs, Clarence Street, Sneinton, as his next of kin. After Percival's marriage this was amended to Drusilla Hutchinson of 104 Manvers Street, Sneinton. Percy married Drusilla Scott on 3 January 1916, less than two months after he returned to England with his battalion. Drusilla was living at 104 Manvers Street, Sneinton, when she was awarded a widow's pension. Drusilla remarried on 23 November 1918 (King) and was living at 79 Seymour Sreet, Carlton Road, Nottingham, when the later CWGC record was compiled.

Member of 2nd Nottingham Company Boys' Brigade (Dakeyne Street Lads' Club). 1911 - occupation lace curtain designing and drafting. His occupation whenhe attested was that of telegraphist/telegrapher.

No home address given. Enlisted at Camp Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Percival attested on 29 May 1915 at Camp Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada. He gave his date of birth as 29 May 1895 and place of birth as Bradford, Yorkshire, although his birth was registered in Nottingham (1895, A/M/J) and his place of birth was given as Sneinton on census records. He did not give a current address. He was mobilized to the 55th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force and the unit sailed for England on 30 October 1915, arriving on 9 November 1915. Percy was later posted to the 39th Battalion. Percy was admitted to hospital at Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, on 27 May 1916 with bronchitis, discharged 22 June 1916. On 10 July, Percy was admitted to Nottingham Carrington War Hospital with suspected meningitis and died the same day. A post mortem gave the cause of death as tubercular meningitis. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery (grave ref 7221). Note: 'Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) is a form of meningitis characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord and caused by a specific bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.' (www.rarediseases.org) He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

CWGC Additional information: 'Husband of Drusilla King (formerly Hutchinson), of 79, Seymour St., Carlton Rd., Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour,' 13th July 1916: 'HUTCHINSON. Died July 10th, Carrington Military Hospital, Private Percy Hutchinson, Canadians. Though lost to sight, to memory dear. Deeply lamented by his sorrowing wife.' Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 July 1917: ‘Hutchinson. In loving memory of my dear husband, Private Percy Hutchinson, Canadians, died on active service July 10th, 1916. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Loving wife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 July 1917: ‘Hutchinson. In loving memory of our dear son Percy, Canadian Infantry, died in hospital July 10th, 1916. From loving mother, father, Grace and Fred (in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) His widow received Percival's medals and a memorial cross and a memorial cross was also sent to his mother, Ada Hutchinson.