Percy Daft

Percy was the second son of Francis (also Frank) and Mary Jane (Jane) Daft (née Butler or Buckley). His father Francis was born in Nottingham in about 1858 and his wife Mary Jane in Whitwick, Leicestershire, in about 1859. They were married at Nottingham St Mary on 25 December 1878 (Daft/Butler) and had nine children, two of whom died young: Francis born and died 1880 and Louis/Lewis b. 1894 d. 1897 (J/F/M). Their seven surviving children, who were born in Nottingham, were: Harriett Gertrude (Gertrude) b. December 1878 (reg. 1879) bap. Sneinton St Stephen 7 May 1882; Jane b. 1881 bap. St Stephen 7 May 1882; Francis b. 1885. Percy b. 1887, Emily b. 1890, William Joseph b. 1892 and Hilda b. 1901. The mother's maiden name was given as 'Buckley' on the birth registrations of all their children except Harriett (Butler). In May 1882, when their two eldest daughters were baptised, Francis and Jane were living at 10 Finch Street, Sneinton. However, by 1891 they had moved to Pump Street, Nottingham, where they were living with their five children Harriett (13), Jane (11), Francis (7), Percy (4) and Emily (1). Francis snr. was a general labourer. Francis, a brewer (ale) and his wife were still living at 3 Pump Street in 1901 with their six children: Gertrude a machinist, Jane a cigar maker, Francis a general labourer and Percy, Emily and William (8) who were all at school. Their youngest child Hilda was born later that year. Francis and Jane had moved to 6 Manchester Street, Handel Street, Nottingham, by 1911. Six of their seven children were in the home on the night of the census: Gertrude a machinist (blouse manufacturer), Jane a machinist (blouse and neck wear), Percy a box cutter (cardboard box manufacturer), Emily a hosiery cutter, William an assistant engine driver (gas) (Midland Engineering Coy), and Hilda (8) who was at school. Francis, the eldest son, was a brewer (licensed victualler), and living with his wife and daughter at 19 Manchester Street. Percy's mother, Mary Jane, died on 11 September 1911 and his father, Francis, on 27 August 1922. The probate record gave Francis' address as 6 Manchester Street. According to the notice of Percy's death in the local paper, both his brothers (Francis and William Joseph) served in the war. There are two military records, a disability pension and medals/awards, for Francis which records that he served in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (8429), the Seaforth Highlanders (15758) and finally the Labour Corps (533912). Francis died on 31 January 1922, the same year as his father.