Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Percy William Melton was born in Shipdam, Norfolk on 23 April 1897 and was the third son of farmer John Melton and his wife Alice.  In 1911, the family were living in High House, Gressenhall, Norfolk.

Percy enlisted on 13 November 1914 and was discharged on 2 April 1919.  He passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitors’ book on 22 December 1916 where he wrote “The best place for a rest and a cup of tea Is at Peterboro G.E. at the W.A.T.A.C.”.

He served as a Private with the Norfolk Regiment before joining the Labour Corps.  Many wounded men who failed the A1 fitness levels required for front line duties on return from injury/illness were posted to the Labour Corps.  The award of the Silver War Badge suggests that he may have been wounded in action but we cannot find any further information on him.  He was also awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

Percy married Esther Forkes in 1924, near Norwich but no children have been identified.

We have traced Percy and Esther in the 1939 Register when they were living at Crossways, Fakenham Road, St Faith’s and Aylsham R.D, Norfolk and Percy was working as a retail master grocer.  Percy died in the Norwich area aged 83 in 1980.

Percy’s older brother Wilfred was called up in March 1916 but was discharged three months later as ‘Not likely to become an efficient soldier’; he was blind in one eye and had a deformed ankle.  There is no trace in the military records of the eldest sibling, Herbert.

Do you recognise this soldier’s story? Please get in touch if you can you tell us more about Private Melton.