Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Percival Harold Childs was born on the 16th September 1896 at Forster, (River Murray) South Australia, the youngest child to John and Jessie Childs.
As the land at Forster was a dry, poor type of country and there was no irrigation in those days or fertilizers used on pastures, the family moved to Balhannah in 1896 where they worked on a market garden.
In 1902 Percival’s family moved to the South East to take up share dairying for George Riddoch at Koorine Station on a third share basis.
The family milked around 80 cows by hand. The cream was sold and the milk fed to the pigs. There were approximately 100 pigs on each farm.
Percival attended the Kalangadoo Public School from 1903 until 1906.
His parents in 1906 had the opportunity to buy 166.5 acres section 474 of the newly subdivided fruit colony of Coonawarra. This property ran north from the V and A Lane along the Penola-Naracoorte Road. Percival’s grandfather Henry Hayward, who was a stonemason in Adelaide, came to Coonawarra to build a home on the property.
After finishing school Percival worked in the vineyards and was a self taught mechanic at Penola.
He had 3 months experience with the Senior Cadets 74th Battalion – K – Coy prior to enlisting on the 10th August 1915 but unfortunately was discharged on the 20th October 1915 medically unfit.
Determined to do his bit for his country, Private Childs re-enlisted on the 21st November 1916 in Adelaide and embarked on board the HMAT Seang Bee on the 10th of February 1917 under the unit of the 9th Reinforcements, 5th Pioneer Battalion.
During the voyage Private Childs became ill with influenza and was hospitalized on board the ship. Upon arrival he was transported to Fovant Military Hospital to recover.
Once recovered Private Childs was transferred to the 10th Battalion in France in July 1917. Stationed at Staple and Seninghem undergoing further training.
Private Childs became ill again in August 1917 with Trench Fever and didn’t rejoin the unit until December 1917 where the battalion was noted having relieved the 31st Battalion in the Messines sector of the line, and details proceeded to Caestre.
After rejoining the unit another short stint in hospital at the end of January the brigade were training in preparation for what was to become the German “Spring Offensive”. By the beginning of March 1918 all four Battalions (9th, 10th, 11th and 12th) of the 3rd Brigade were at Hollebeke. Much work was needed in defensive works, trenches drained and repaired, wiring dug in and so on.
Private Childs became severely ill again mid March and was transferred to hospital, Birmingham, England, where he spent the next nine months recuperating before returning to Australia.
Private Childs returned to Australia per the Mamari from England on the 21st December 1918 and discharged on the 15th March 1919. A total service of 843days.
After the war he lived at home with his parents at V and A Lane working in the vineyards.
Percival married Doris Mary Lavina McAdam on the 31st December 1923. The couple built a house on Skinner Road and managed a small fruit block on it.
Doris and Percival had three children, Hartley, Beth and Pam. In 1927 Percival sold his Skinner Road house and moved to Warrnambool where he started a fruit, veg and confectionary business in Fairy Street. Followed by becoming the caretaker of the Warrnambool Race Course.
With the onset of World War Teo Percival enlisted on the 5th July 1940 at the age of 43 years in Melbourne.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Childs was discharged on 29th August 1944 after 868 days active service in Australia with the Australian Armed Training Regiment.
After WW2, Percival became a T & G Insurance Agent in Warrnambool. He was a member of the Warrnambool RSL and Legacy.
He was known for his keen interest in gardening and was a devoted husband and father to his family.
Percival Harold Childs died on the 31st December 1950 aged 54 years and is interred at the Warrnambool Cemetery.
Private Childs was awarded the following war medals. The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.