Percival Charles Witney
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth |
unknown "unknown" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. |
| Place of Birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Death | 1 Mar 1964, aged 80 |
| Place of Death | Mandurah, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 31 years, 11 months |
| Description |
5' 4½" (1.64m) tall ; 112 lbs 50.802 kg ; sallow complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair ; mole on left of chin. |
| Occupation | Baker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Prospect road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Joseph Whitney |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 10891 |
| Date of Enlistment | 23 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 13th Reinforcement; transferred to 3rd Field Artillery Brigade |
| Date of Embarkation | 31 Dec 1915 ‒ 9 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A19 Afric |
| Date of Return | 31 May 1919 ‒ 12 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A60 Aeneas |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 Korrelocking, farmer.
War Service
Four weeks after arriving in camp, Percy was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade and completed his preliminary training in Victoria.
After arriving in Egypt he undertook follow up training in Cairo where he was shifted to the No 3 Section, 1st Division Ammunition Column on 10 Feb 1916. His initial role was that of a gunner, but soon after he was appointed as a Driver.
From 26 Mar to 2 Apr 1916 the unit was enroute from Alexandria to Marseilles.
In Sep 1916 he spent time in hospital, and again on 31 Dec 1916 he was hospitalised. On this occasion he was evacuated to England on HMHS Formosa from No 11 General Hospital Camiers with a severe hernia. Admitted to the 1st London General Hospital in Camberwell on 7 Jan 1917, he returned to France via Folkestone on 19 Apr 1917 after 70 days in hospital.
On arriving back in France he found that he had been transferred again, this time as a Driver to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
He was granted leave in England from 6 - 22 Oct 1917, and again from 31 Oct - 14 Nov 1918. However, he overstayed his 1918 leave and was AWOL from 15-20 Nov 1918. His punishment was 15 days Field Punishment No 2, and the loss of 20 days pay.
Percy left France on 10 Apr 1919 to begin his return to Australia where he was discharged by the 3rd Military District on 3 Sep 1919.
Post War
Percy married Victoria Isobel May Jewell at Northam in 1922. Victoria died 6 Nov 1962 at Mandurah. Children Percival Eric (1923 - 27 Oct 1997) in Northam and Grace M (1925) also born in Northam.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1954 "Last Chance" Korrelocking, farmer; 1958 retired to 21 Allnut street, Mandurah.
Notes
Brother of Vernon Claude Witney