On the photo Percy has written 'Your loving Son, Perce".

Born in 1892, Percy served in the Australian Infantry Force (AIF) during WWI. He was aged 24 years and joined the 53rd Australian infantry Battalion, C company at Bathurst on April 18, 1916. At that time, he was a farmer and his mother, Jane Elizabeth Fuller, was living in Nyngan.

Percy was 5 feet 3 1/2 inches (162cm) tall, with light blue eyes, light brown hair and fresh complexion. Percy was a keen cyclist competing in numerous local bicycle events.

On September 14, 1916, he departed from Sydney Harbour on board the troopship 'Mashobra' disembarking at the port in Plymouth on November 2.

He then went on to France per SS Princess Henrietta some six weeks later after completing his training.

On September 26, 1917, Percy was promoted to Sergeant and was awarded the Military Medal on 20th November, 1917. After this he was selected to attend an Infantry Cadet Course at Oxford in England.

Percy joined the Balliol College Cadet Training Battalion and qualified for a commission on June 30, 1918. This establishment allowed British and Commonwealth officer cadets to undertake short training courses.

Three weeks later he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant and after a short leave returned to France, rejoining his unit in the field in September. In less than a month he was wounded on 29th September, 1918, which was sustained during the operations during the Battle of St Quentin Canal.

He died on October 1, 1918, about six weeks before the Armistice was signed. His unit helped break the Hindenburg Line north of Saint Quentin city. This was the 53rd Battalion's last major battle of the war during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Percy's unit was to break through the formidable German defences along the St Quentin Canal.

The battalion's advance was being held up by a strong German post on the left flank. Lieutenant Ralph and three men rushed the post capturing the entire garrison manning it of three officers and 30 ranks and three machine guns. This action enabled the battalion to advance.

The Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 53rd Battalion reported that "whilst returning with these prisoners he was shot in the neck and died shortly afterwards without regaining consciousness".

Percy was buried at Tincourt New British Military cemetery 4.25 miles east of Peronne in Grave VI g.1. In a letter from Lieut Col. W. Cheeseman he stated, "fortunately after some difficulty we were able to get his body back to the military cemetery at Tincourt, where he was given a military funeral".

His mother received several letters which gave differing dates as to when he was initially shot. One letter was from J. Talbot Hobbs, Major General, Commanding the 5th Australian Division dated November 7, 1918. He stated that "Percy was a most reliable officer, whose service was marked by self-sacrifice, and devotion to duty."

Lieutenant John G. Ridley, a fellow officer in the 53rd Battalion also wrote to Mrs. Fuller, he offered comforting words and returned, "one sovereign, which dropped from your son's pocket book or belongings when they were taken from his person, perhaps he kept it as a keepsake, at any rate you will be pleased to receive it".

Percy's 53rd Battalion was awarded sixteen battle honours in total for its involvement in the Great War though it did not receive these until 1927.

Lest we forget.

Alan McRae is with the Bathurst District Historical Society.