PERCY WALTER COMAN

image from 1916 Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury newspaper.

Born: 1896, Ipswich.

Died: 15th July 1916; age 20; KiA.

Residence: 17, Handford Road, Ipswich.

Employed: Messrs. Wrinch & Son’s.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Rank: Private: Service Number: 3390

Regiment; Suffolk Regiment, ‘A’ Coy, 4th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Memorial Reference:

Pier & Face 1C & 2A.

Thiepval memorial,

Somme,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of James & H. Coman, of 17, Handford Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   4, Gipping Street, Ipswich.

Percy was 5 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

James Coman, 36, a Bricklayer’s Labourer, born Norwich, Norfolk.

Harriet Coman (nee Potkins), 35, born Braintree, Essex.

Selina Elizabeth Coman, 13, born Ipswich.

Alice Minnie Coman, 10, born Ipswich.

Bertie John Coman, 4, born Ipswich.

Elizabeth Cecila Coman, 1, born Ipswich.

1911   17, Handford Road, Ipswich.

Percy was 15 years old, a Factory Worker. He was living with his parents & siblings.

James, 45, a General Labourer.

Harriet, 44, a Charwoman.

Alice, 19, a Machinist at the Laundry.

Bertie, 13.

Elizabeth, 11.

James William Coman, 9, born Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Harriet Coman – mother.

Percy is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Peter’s Church, Ipswich, and at The Mission Free Church, Curriers’ Lane, Ipswich.

.

The Somme offensive day 15

The battle of the Bazentin Ridge and the attack on High Wood.

The 4^th Battalion the Suffolks 15^th July 1916 regimental records:

While the 4^th Battalion was moving through Becordel to the position between Fricourt and Mametz where they bivouacked during the night of July 14^th-15^th, the battle of the Bazentin Ridge was raging in all its fury. They were not destined, however, to remain long thus upon the fringe of the hostilities, and at dawn went out under the command of Major H.C.Copeman D.S.O on support the 1^st Middlesex Regiment in an attack on Switch trench. After severe fighting, a line immediately in front of the Village of Bazentin-le-Petit was taken up and held for the remainder of the day. The casualties in the battalion, exceeding two hundred.

This is the highest death rate of the war for Ipswich. 17 men.

Suffolk Regiment, ‘A’ Coy, 4th Battalion:

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment