17643 Private Percival Edwards Pickwick
7th Battalion Border Regiment
14th December 1915
Born on 06/11/1892 in Swansea Glamorganshire. He was baptised on 15/12/1892.
His parents were Martin James Pickwick (1864-1938) and Elizabeth Ann Edwards (08/01/1868- 1945).
They were married on 17/10/1891.
Percival had 6 brothers, Bertram George (26/12/1894- 27/06/1957), Cyril William (31/10/1896-22/02/1964),
Leslie Martin (03/11/1898-1975), Eric James (23/02/1901-10/03/1959), Ivor Cecil (07/06/1902-27/01/1961) and
Edward Glyn (10/08/1904 – 1981)
He also had a sister Maude (16/03/1907- 1994).
In the 1901 census the family were recorded as living at 645 Liverpool Road, Irlam, Lancashire. His father Martin
was employed as a Traffic Superintendent on the Manchester Ship Canal.
The 1911 census records shows that the family were still living at the same address and that Martin was still employed in the same job. Percival was also employed as a clerk at the steam ship company.
Percival enlisted in Manchester on 14/11/1914 and the details of his medical carried out on the same date are as follows;
Occupation – Sailor
Apparent Age – 22 years
Height – 5ft 6 inches Weight 116lbs
Chest Measurement - girth when fully expanded – 35 inches , Range of Expansion –
3 inches
Physical Development & Pulse Rate - Good
Distinctive Marks – Large Brown stain on buttock , small scar on back.
After his medical he was posted that day to Carlisle, where he stayed until 20/11/1914 before moving to Lulworth
on 21/11/1914, where he remained until he went to France on 24/07/1915.
When In France he had a serious disciplinary issue on 22/09/1915 when he was charged with Disobedience of
Battalion Orders and was, found guilty and awarded 28 days field punishment No.1.
He was killed in action on 14/12/1915.
Manchester Evening News – Tuesday 28 December 1915
Pickwick – Private Percival E. Pickwick 17643, 7th batt. Border Regiment. Aged 23, killed in action in Flanders, eldest son
of M and E.A. Pickwick, Lyme hurst, Flixton Road, Urmston.
“He did his bit”
Percival was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His mother was awarded a pension of 5/- a week from 06/11/1918 on 05/05/1919.
Bertram his brother also served during the war as Private 32492 in 22nd Manchester Regiment.
When the second world war broke out, Bertram enlisted on 04/07/1940 into the
42nd County of Lancaster (Irlam) Battalion(Home Guard).