Percy Arthur Gears, Age 25

Private, 39529, 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

Worcestershire Regiment Cap Badge.

Percy was a Dawley lad born and bred and was the son of Mrs Gears of Station Road, Horsehay.

He was killed in action on 10th August 1917 during the third battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) and Mrs Gears received confirmation of the news from Percy's Officer stating that he was a splendid soldier who died fighting bravely for his King and Country; He also said that he had been killed by the explosion of a German shell.

Percy had served previously with the KSLI (2957) before being transferred at some point to Worcestershire Regiment, his KSLI number is just one different to John (Richard) Garbett KSLI 2956 so would have joined at the same time.

Battles Of Ypres Capture Of Westhoek - 10/08/1917

At dawn about 4.25am on Friday the 10th of August the British Artillery opened fire simultaneously with one tremendous crash, and the assaulting Battalions charged forward as swiftly as was possible in the heavy soaking mud. They just avoided the reply of the enemy’s artillery, which in three or four minutes struck all along the line of the British front trenches. The two companies of the 3rd Battalion Worc’s lying in close support suffered more severely than did the attacking troops, who by taking the enemy by surprise, fought their way forward up Westhoek Ridge, topped the crest line and pushed on down the further slope. There the advance was checked. The reverse slope of the ridge sheltered several concrete block houses, still undamaged. The 13th Cheshire were considerable held up and sent back messages for help.

A and C companies of the 3rd battalion Worc’s were ordered forward. 2nd Lt A.W.Vint led A company up and over the ridge. By the time he reached the forward platoons of the 13th Cheshire the protecting barrage had lifted and the enemy’s machine guns were sweeping the open and bare ground. He organized an attack and led his men forward, working from shell hole to shell hole across several hundred yards of bare mud soaked ground until they could close on the block house, which was captured and put out of action by a bold rush. 2nd Lt A.W.Vint was awarded the M.C. and in that action Private.D.Godson led a Lewis gun team forward with great bravery and he was awarded the D.C.M. Within about half an hour from the start, the objective of the attack had been gained and the block house put out of action. The victorious troops were endeavoring to establish defensive posts along the swampy valley of the Hannebeek. Orders where sent back for B and D Companies of the 3rd Battalion Worc’s to move up to the old front line below the Westhoek Ridge. Then, as had been anticipated, began the severest trial. From the general directions of north, east, and south the enemy’s shells came pouring down bursting all along the captured Westhoek Ridge. Worse still, on the right flankthe 18th Division after a hard struggle in Glencorse Woods had been driven back to that woods western edge, thus exposing the right flank of the 13th Cheshire. By 11 o’clock all the senior officers of the 13th Cheshire Battalion had been hit and, at the request of their wounded C.O., Lt Colonel P.R. Whalley commanding the 3rd Battalion Worc’s, went forward, and took command.

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Percy's body was never found and his name is recorded on the impressive Menin Gate on Panel 34

Commonwealth War Graves
Percy is commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

***

Victory Medal	British War Medal