Percy Oxley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy was born in 1892 the son of William a framework knitter and Rebecca Oxley née Pilmore. William was born in 1857 in Sutton in Ashfield, Rebecca Pilmore was born in 1857 in Wymondham, Leicestershire, married in 1876 their marriage was recorded in the Basford registration district, they went on to have 11 children , 2 of whom died in infancy prior to 1911 , their children taken from the 1881-1911 census were :- John 1879, Nellie b1880, Frank b1882, William b1883, Lucy b1886, Florrie 1888, Edward b1890, Percy 1892, Maud b1895 Jennie Violet b1897 Bertha b1898. In 1911 he was listed as a Private Soldier 21 yrs of age , 2nd battalion Grenadier Guards living in Blenheim Barracks, Blandford House , Marlborough Hampshire. In the same census his family are living at Park Road, Chilwell, his father is 54 yrs a frame work knitter living with his wife Rebecca 54 yrs and five of their children and two grandchildren.
Private Percy Oxley, enlisted in Nottingham and was a career soldier, shown on the 1911 census as being a Private living in barracks with his battalion. He landed in France on 23rd November 1914 and died of wounds on 29th March 1915, he is buried in Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy
Obituaries posted in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 7th April 1915 :- “OXLEY. – Killed in action in France, Private Percy Oxley, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. Gave his life for King and country. Sadly missed by those who loved him best. Weep not for me, my friends so dear, I am not dead, but sleeping here; and though the Lord has had His due, I fought for England's cause so true. Loving mother, father, and family.“On March 29th, my loving fiancé, Private Percy Oxley, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, killed in action. He died a hero, doing his duty for King and country. He is taken from my side, but never from my heart. Respected by all and deeply mourned. – From Florrie.” Above obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
