No. 2854. 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment and later 202557 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, who died on 22nd August 1917 aged 22.

Percy has no known grave. He is remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Ypres.

Percy was born in Hasketon early 1895, son of Arthur and Annie Borrett, and lived in Hill House, Mill Lane, Hasketon.

The date of his death indicates he was probably killed 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), shortly after the Battle of Langemark.

Before the war he worked as a Gardener.

Personal details

Percy’s parents were Arthur Borrett [B.Hasketon 1862] and Annie Borrett (nee Overette) [B. Woodbridge 1865], who lived in Hill House, Hasketon.  Arthur was a Market Gardener and trader in fruit and vegetables.  Percy is the 3rd of 5 surviving children, the others being, Edith [B.1886], Leonard [B.1893], Murray [b.1897] and Raymond [B.1900], all born in Hasketon.

War service.

The Medal Roll Index indicates Percy was eligible for both the Victory and British Medals, but not the 15Star, which indicates he arrived in Flanders after December 1915.  The extract from the Evening Star (below) says he had been in France for 16 months when he died, suggesting he arrived in France in April 1916. No other records have been discovered to cover his war service so we do not know his enlistment date.

He was initially part of the 4th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment (N. 2854) and was later transferred to the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment.  From this we can infer that he may have taken part in the Battles of the Somme (Bazentin Ridge and High Wood) in 1916, along with several other Hasketon residents. 

The War Diaries of the Royal Berkshire Regiment are not available at present and so we cannot be sure of their actions in 1917.  However, they were part of the 184th Brigade of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, which fought in the in the ‘Action of 22nd August 1917’, which took place in the aftermath of the Battle of Langemarck, part of the wider 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).  We presume he died during this battle. His father Arthur is listed as next of kin in the Army Registers of Soldiers’ effects.

Also of interest.

Percy’s brothers Murray and Leonard also enlisted: Murray in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and his service record has survived. He carried on in his father’s profession as a Market Gardener and can be found residing at Hill House in the 1939 register. Leonard also joined the Suffolk 4th battalion and was later wounded.  He was able to say goodbye to Percy prior to going to hospital. They did not met again before Percy was killed, but he later wrote a moving poem to Percy which is shown below.

Medals:  Victory Medal (center), British Medal (right).