PERCY JAMES BERRY
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1917
Known to his friends as “BODGER”
Born: 3rd November 1889, at 36, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.
Died: On or since death presumed: 18th August 1916; aged 26; KiA. Served in France for three weeks.
Evening Star – Monday, 13th November 1916 – Mrs. Laura Berry, of 19, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich, whose husband, Percy James Berry, No. 980, Suffolk Regiment (late Suffolk Cyclists), nicknamed Bodger, who has been missing since the 19th August 1916, would be glad of any information concerning him.
Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – Friday, 27th April 1917 – Private Percy J. Berry, known to his friends as “Bodger,” of the Suffolk Regiment, formerly in the Cyclist Battalion, has been missing since the 18th August last. His Wife, Mrs. Laura Berry, of 19, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich, will be thankful for any tidings of him.
E.A.D.T. – Monday, 3rd September 1917 – Mrs. Laura Berry, of 19, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich, has received notification that her husband, Private Percy James Berry, reported missing on the 18th August 1916, is now officially concluded to have died on that date (or since). Private Berry, who leaves a widow and three children, was prior to the war employed at the Orwell Works and had only been in France about three weeks.
Residence: 19, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: Painter for Ransomes, Simms & Jefferies, Orwell Works, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 43305
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Formerly 980, Suffolk Cyclists Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Memorial Reference:
Pier & Face 1C & 2A.
Somme,
France.
CENSUS
1891 36, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.
Percy was a year old and living with his parents, siblings, cousin & uncle.
Arthur Hurrell Berry, 37, an Iron Moulder, born Ipswich.
Emma Berry (nee Shimmings), 39, born Shottisham, Suffolk.
Arthur Edgar Berry, 15, born Ipswich.
Frederick George Berry, 11, born Ipswich.
Ada Sarah Berry, 9, born Ipswich.
Charles Henry Berry, 5, born Ipswich.
Edward Shimmings, 37, a widower, a Seaman, born Ipswich.
Grace Florence Shimmings, 11, born Ipswich.
1901 36, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.
Percy was 11 years old and living with his parents, brothers & cousin.
Arthur, 47, an Iron Moulder.
Emma, 48.
Charles, 13, a Printer – Compositor.
Herbert John Berry, 8, born Ipswich.
Grace Shimmings, 21, a Tailoress.
1911 4, David Street, Ipswich.
Percy was 21 years old, a Thrashing Machine Painter. He was married & head of the household.
Laura, 19.
Percy, 10 months.
On the 8th May 1909, at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich, 20 year old Percy, a painter, married 17 year old Laura Lily Ann Hearn, born October, 1891, Coddenham, Suffolk – daughter of Henry Hearn, a malster, and Sarah Ann Hearn (nee Rogers), of 57, Victoria Street, Ipswich.
Laura and Percy had four children:
Percy Frederick Berry, born May 1910, Ipswich.
Cyril Herbert Berry, born October 1912, Ipswich.
Charles John French Berry, born 1915, Ipswich – died on the 10th December 1915, as a result of burns in a terrible accidental fire, at the Berry family home, 19, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich and buried on the 14th December at Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Lily Violet Daisy Berry, born November 1916, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Laura L. A. Berry – widow.
Percy is also remembered on The Orwell Works Memorial Ransomes Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich and on the war memorial at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich.
THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT 2nd Battalion:
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