PERCY HUGH WILLOUGHBY

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 2nd July 2016 |

Born: 1884, Ipswich

Died: 5th July 1916; age 32; Died of Wounds on board H.M.H.S. ‘Lanfranc’

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 25th April 1915. Balkans – Gallipoli & Aegean Islands.

Rank: Private

Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

Grave Reference:

C.E.1800.

Netley Military Cemetery,

Hampshire.

CENSUS

1891 12, William Street, Ipswich.

Percy was 6 years old and living with his parents, siblings & maternal uncle.

Thomas Willoughby, 47, a Painter, born Ipswich.

Alice Emma Willoughby (nee Gooding), 31, born Sutton, Suffolk.

John Willoughby, 14, born Ipswich.

Horace Mark Willoughby, 4, born Ipswich.

Alice Bertha Willoughby, 2, born Ipswich.

William Gooding, 16, a Painter, born Butley, Suffolk.

1901 67, Norfolk Road, Ipswich.

Percy was 16 years old, an Errand Boy – Port. He was living with his parents, siblings & paternal aunt.

Thomas, 56, a House Painter.

Alice, 39.

Horace, 14, an Errand Boy.

Alice, 12.

Thomas Henry Willoughby, 8, born Ipswich.

Stanley Charles Willoughby, 6, born Ipswich.

Mary Willoughby, 62.

1911 India.

Percy was 25 years old, a Soldier ranked Private, a Musician in the 1st Battalion, Lancaster Fusiliers.

Soldiers’ Effects to Horace Willoughby – brother.

The Gallipoli Campaign (Dardanelles Campaign) 17th February 1915 – 9th January 1916
The aims of the Campaign were the capturing the Ottoman Empire capital Constantinople and the opening up of a new front taking German and Turkish forces away from Europe and North Africa providing a better sea route rout to Russia and the Black sea. The campaign was an Anglo-French task force but is better known for the contribution and fierce fighting from the Commonwealth forces from Australian and New Zealand force the “ANZAC” (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). The Campaign was to fail due to poor mapping and planning. The forces landing on beaches with steep cliffs and soon became bogged down with trench warfare, disease and supply routes hampered by the enemy. Evacuating in January 1916
It is estimated that over 50,000 British and commonwealth dead and over 100,000 wounded sustained from the campaign.

4th June 1915 The Third Battle of Krithia was fought on the Gallipoli peninsula, the main objective was to gain land and height in an attempt to consolidate the beach head and to protect the 78 Howitzer Guns at Helles on Anzac cove which were now low on ammunition relying on naval support for supply and protection.
The 1st Battalion attached to 29th Indian Infantry Brigade held by now a well-established trench system facing the Turkish line which too had developed into an organized trench pattern. The 4th of June was a bright sunny day, orders for the attack had been given with weeks of planning for a 6 day offensive to start for an eight hundred yard advance. All five of the Lancashire Fusiliers Battalions at Gallipoli were to take part in the attack the 1st Battalion taking part on only the first day.
Their first objective was to cross no man’s land from Gurkha Bluff into “J 10” Turkish trench system then “J 11” as the second objective. A heavy bombardment from shore and at sea proved not to be sufficient. The counter bombardment from the Turkish caused more British casualties. At 12:00hrs the men were given the order to go over the top, many men being hit as soon as they reached their on parapet of the British trench. Most men only managed to advance 30-70 yards being held up by accurate machine gun and rifle fire. Mines had been exploded as they made the advance causing many casualties. “D” company led by Captain H. R. Clayton reached the Turkish line but was killed his body being found two months later on the Turkish barbed wire. Gorse fires were started from the mines causing much confusion. No headway was made and throughout the day and night heavy Turkish machine gun and artillery fire held back any advance. The Battalion was relieved on the 6th of June 14 officers and 500 men had been killed or wounded.

We have found 3 Ipswich men who are remembered on the Ipswich War memorial from the 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers, all served in India together before the war and we believe if not friends, were known to each other being of the same age group and all from Ipswich. All died on the same day in the same action.