PERCIVAL WILLIAM DRANE

PERCY

image from the Suffolk Chronicle & Mercury – 1917

Born: 1890, Ipswich.

Died: 18th October 1917; age 27; Died of Wounds – Shell Wound to Right Leg and Septicaemia, at the Fulham Military Hospital, London.

Informant: Charles A. Hawken, of Fulham Military Hospital.

Employed: Messrs. Stammer’s & Son, Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 24583.

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Grave Reference:

BA.I.62.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

CENSUS

1891   37, Alexandra Road, Ipswich.

Percy was 6 months old and living with his parents.

William Drane, 24, a Tailor, born Framlingham, Suffolk.

Alice Jane Drane (nee Cant), 25, born Rose Hill Road, Ipswich.

1901   29, Tomline Road, Ipswich.

Percy was 10 years old and living with his parents & brother.

William, 36, a Tailor.

Alice, 35.

Reginald Douglas Drane, 7, born Ipswich.

1911   166, Rose Hill Road, Ipswich.

Percy was 20 years old, a Porter & Warehouseman – Furniture Store. He was living with his parents, siblings & cousin.

William, 46, a Tailor – Maker & Repairer.

Alice, 46.

Reginald, 17, a Cycle Builder & Repairer.

Ruby Violet Drane, 8, born Ipswich.

Winifred Alice Drane, 3, born Ipswich.

Harold Chapman, 1, born Farnham, Surrey.

In 1915, Ipswich, Percy married Beatrice Annie Last, born 1892, Wherstead, Suffolk.

They had 1 son:

Reginald Francis Percival W. Drane, born Christmas Day, 1916, Ipswich. Died 1999 aged 82. (image courtesy of Stefan Peck and family)

Soldiers’ Effects to Beatrice Drane – widow.

Percy is also remembered on the war memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich and at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Ipswich.

MILITARY FUNERAL AT IPSWICH

The funeral took place at the Ipswich cemetery on Tuesday afternoon of Pte. Percival William Drane, of the Suffolk Regiment, whose death occurred on Wednesday in last week in the Fulham Military Hospital. The deceased soldier, who was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Drane, of 166, Rosehill Road, Ipswich, joined the forces in December, 1915, prior to which he was in the employ of Messrs. Stammer’s and Son, at Ipswich. He leaves a widow and one little son, at Ipswich. As death was the result of wounds received in action, the body was laid to rest in the Field of Honour, the coffin, covered with the Union Jack, being borne to the place of burial on a gun-carriage drawn by a team of horses, lent by B Battery, 353rd Brigade, R.F.A., by kind permission of Col. Goff, the carriage being provided by a firing party and buglers from the Northumberland Fusiliers, by kind permission of the officer commanding, Col. Hay. The coffin which was made of polished elm, with brass fittings bore the inscription: “Pte. Percival William Drane, Suffolk Regiment, died October 18th 1917, aged 28.” The service was conducted by the Rev. H.W. Hinde, vicar of St. John’s. At the conclusion of the service the usual three volleys were fired over the grave, after which the buglers sounded the “Last Post.”

Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion:

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

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