254011 Pte. Percy Henry Hunt British Army 7th Btn. Rifle Brigade from:London (d.18th Aug 1916) Percy Hunt joined up as a volunteer in August 1914. He had some army experience or previous training and was posted to 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade created as part of Kitchener's new army.
He died on 18th Aug 1916 on the Somme, probably at the Battle of Delville Wood aged 27. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial.
He wasn't married and had no children. He had 5 sisters and his brother William, who served in the Navy, survived WW1 and I am his grand-daughter. William had 6 children who went on to have further children and his youngest descendant is 1 year old Elliot, my sister's grandson.
Virtually everyone in the family had forgotten about Percy. When I started looking into the family history I traced him with the help of my mother.
I saw the form filled in by his recruiting sergeant. I went to the 100 years commemoration of the Somme in 2016 at Thiepval Memorial and found his name.
It's always hard with a common name to ensure you have correct person. The CWGC website said "brother of Mrs Menghetti" and I thought "there's no Italians in our family" so I dismissed this and carried on looking.
When I mentioned this to my mother she said that's my aunt. She married an Italian! and I knew I had the correct Percy Hunt. So research every option. The most obvious can save time. Unfortunately I was unable to find any photographs of him.
I feel all who served 100 years ago in WW1 should still be remembered as many of them were very young, and didn't realise exactly why they were fighting, but wanted to serve their country and without them many of us would not be here today.
I am proud of him and will place a cross in the Field of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey tomorrow for the Armistice Centenary.
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