Percy Latham
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy was the second son of Wiliam Latham and his wife Florence Mary (née Lunt).William Latham was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, in 1872 (bap. January 1873) the son of Joseph and Emma. In 1891 William, a chemist and druggist's apprentice, was living in Nantwich with his married brother Frederick. Florence Mary was born in about 1873 (bap. February 1873), also in Nantwich, the daughter of Owen William and Hannah Lunt. William and Florence were married at Blackpool parish church in August 1895. They had at least six children; their eldest child, Harold, was born before their marriage, registered surname Lunt, although the surname Latham was used in subsequent civil records: Harold b. Nantwich 1894, Percy b. Toxteth Park birth registered 1896 (J/F/M) bap. Blackpool St John June 1896, and Owen William birth registered 1898 (J/F/M), twins Evelyn and Arthur b. 1899 who died in 1899 and 1900 respectively, and Florence Mary b. 1901, who were all born in Bournemouth.In 1901 William, a chemist and druggist, and his wife were living on Norwich Avenue, Bournemouth, along with their three surviving children Harold, Percy and Owen; Florence was born later that year. Also in the household was a general domestic servant. The family was living at Malmesbury Park, Bournemouth, when William died in Widnes, Lancashire, in July 1902. His widow married Joseph Stafford Taverner, a chemist, at Islington parish church in April 1905. Florence was living in Bournemouth at the time of her marriage.By 1911 Joseph and Florence were living in West Ham, London. Three of Florence's children, Percy, Owen and Florence, were in the home on the night of the census while Harold was a boarder at King's College, Taunton. Also in the household was a general domestic servant. Florence Mary Taverner died in 1921 (death registered East Stonehouse, Devon).Percy's younger brother, Owen, served in the Royal Army Service Corps (5/394043), possibly previously in the Royal Garrison Artillery (183078). He was serving by 1917 and was discharged to the Army Reserve in February 1919.
8th (Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight Rifles) (Territorial) Battalion Hampshire Regiment.History of the 8th Battalion Hampshire Regiment: 'The Isle of Wight Volunteers raised in the Napoleonic wars and disbanded in 1815, and the unit of the same name raised in 1859 to defend against Napoleon III. It may have been at this time that the Battalion adopted the green and black uniforms associated with Rifle units. In 1880 the unit became the 1st Isle of Wight Rifle Volunteer Corps and in 1885 they were incorporated into the Hampshire Regiment as 5th (Isle of Wight, Princess Beatrice’s) Volunteer Battalion. In 1908 [following the Haldane Report and the formation of the Territorial Force and the Special Reserve] the name again changed to 8th (Princess Beatrice’s Isle of Wight Rifles) Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment.' (www.allbadges.net)Percy was attached to the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps then gazetted to the 8th Bn. Hampshire Regiment. He sailed for Gallipoli on 29 July and served in the peninsula from 10 August 1915; he was fatally wounded ten days later and died on 20 August. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey (Panel 126-135 or 223-226 228-229 & 328).CWGC - History of the Helles Memorial (extract): 'The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock of the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. The Allies landed on the peninsula on 25-26 April 1915; the 29th Division at Cape Helles in the south and the Australian and New Zealand Corps north of Gaba Tepe on the west coast, an area soon known as Anzac. On 6 August, further landings were made at Suvla, just north of Anzac, and the climax of the campaign came in early August when simultaneous assaults were launched on all three fronts. However, the difficult terrain and stiff Turkish resistance soon led to the stalemate of trench warfare. From the end of August, no further serious action was fought and the lines remained unchanged. The peninsula was successfully evacuated in December and early January 1916.' (www.cwgc.org)
WMR53180: Bournemouth St Stephen, St Stephen's Road, Bournemouth BG2 6JZ. Memorial (Grade II listed) in churchyard, dedication: 'O Saviour who didst die for all remember in Thy mercy those who died for us 1914-1919 and also 1939-1945.’ Names include Percy Latham. WMR26430: Crucifix in church with same dedication as war memorial (no names)WMR68326: King’s College, South Road, Taunton TA1 3LA. Dedication: ‘Ne Perat Memoria Anno Dni 1914-1919 (names) Requiescant in Domino’. Names include Percy Latham.Bournemouth Guardian, 11 September 1915: ‘Second Lieutenant P Latham, 8th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (TF), who was wounded at the Dardanelles on August 20th, spent the major portion of his life in Bournemouth, and was educated at King’s College, Taunton. He joined the Inns of Court Officers’ Training Corps last February, gained a commission in the 8th Hants in May and went out to the Dardanelles on June 30th.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The following item probably refers to Percy Latham. Bournemouth Graphic, 29 October 1915: ‘Mr A Haydock and Mr Latham, two ex-students of the School of Science and Technology at Bournemouth, have been killed while serving with HM Forces.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Boots 'Comrades in Khaki' September 1915 (photograph). 'Second Lieut P Latham who on July 29th sailed for service at the Dardanelles joined the firm of Boots at Christchurch Road, Bournemouth branch in September 1913. In March of the current year he was attached to the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and was gazetted to the 8th Hants. in May.'Boots 'Comrades in Khaki' October 1915, 'Dead on the Field of Honour' (photograph). '‘The hand of death has pressed heavily upon our ranks during recent weeks, and the list of those now 'Dead on the Field of Honour' is sadly swelled. This is a sorrowful page in that it records the loss of brave men whom we all loved, but it is at the same time the proudest of our issue as a memorial of those who have served faithfull even unto death ... Second Lieut P Latham. In our last issue we made reference to P Latham, Second Lieutenant, attached to the 8th Hants, who sailed for service at the Dardanelles on July 29th last. The gallant officer landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on August 10th and on 20th of the same month was wounded. An official notice has since been received of his death. Esteemed by all, he has given his young life bravely and not in vain.'
