CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'In loving memory Died of wounds Peace perfect peace'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 26 October 1916: ‘Giles. Died of wounds, October 17th, Private Percy Giles, Sherwood Foresters, aged 20. In a far and lonely battlefield, where the trees their branches bend, lies my ever-loving son, gone to his untimely end. Sleep on, dear son, in a hero’s grave, a grave I may never see, but as long as life and memory last I will remember thee. It’s the unknown grave that’s the bitterest blow, none but the aching hearts can know. Broken-hearted father, brothers, sisters and ma.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 October 1917: ‘Giles. In loving memory of my dear son, Percy Giles, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds in France, October 15th, 1916. He sleeps beside his comrades, in a hallowed green unknown. Peacefully he rests, secure from this life’s woes. From ma, father, brothers and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 October 1918: ‘Giles In living memory of Pte Percy Giles, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds October 17th, 1916. Ever in our thoughts. Loving father, stepmother, sisters and brothers Sidney and Jack (in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
The family also placed an 'In Memoriam' notice in the Nottingham Evening Post on 16 October 1919.
Percy's personal possessions were returned to his father in May 1917 and comprised: letters, photographs, pocket book, leather wallet, 2 knives, dagger, (-), 2 pencils, comb, (-), match box cover, mirror, leather purse.
WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his father, Frederick.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Frederick was his sole legatee.