S4270
WHITE, Percival
| Service Number: | 4376 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 September 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gawler South Australia, 7 June 1881 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | unknown |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | War injuries, Clarence Park Adelaide, 4 June 1955, aged 73 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) AIF ground Kandrew Oval, Row 17, site No. 65 |
| Memorials: | Prospect Roll of Honour G-Z WWI Board |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1 | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4376, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4376, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 4376, 32nd Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
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On Percival's enlistment form he was listed as service No. 4376, Private Percival White attached to the 32nd Infantry Battalion, 11th Reinforcement group.
Age 33 years 5 months, height 5 feet 6.6 inches, weight 140 pounds,chest measurement 34.37 inches, complexion dark, eyes hazel and hair dark.Religion was Church of England and trade Blacksmith Percival was married with one child. Residential address 66 Gordon Street Prospect.
The supply of reinforcements was so urgent in Europe that he's No. 11 Group had no time for any serious training. After 45 days in the Army the group received their travelling orders. They were to continue their training in England.
7th November 1916: Embarked on the troop ship A19 HMAT Afric from Outer Harbour South Australia heading for the United Kingdom.
9th January 1917: Reinforcement group disembarked at the Port of Plymouth, England.
10th January 1917: Reinforcement Group attached to the 8th Battalion for additional training.
5th April 1917: after three months training, they proceeded across the English Channel to France.
12th April 1917:Percival was transferred to the 32nd Battalion to do battle with the Germans.
12th July 1917: Pecival was sent to the 3rd Army sapping school to learn the art of digging siege trenches.
26th July1917: Rejoined the 32nd battalion.
28th September 1917: Was lightly wounded. After medical staff attended to his wound, was allowed to remain on duty. Percival received his wound in the battle of Polygon Woods, near Ypres Belgium.
16th October 1917: Was attached to the Australian 15th Field Ambulance as a strecher bearer whilst recovering from wound.
27th October 1917: Transferred back to the 32nd Battalion on full duties.
28th October 1917: Sent bach to the rear on a musketry course, (rifle training).
1st November; Returned to 32nd Battalion.
31st July 1918 Percival was seriously woundedin the battle of Morlandcourtin the Morcourt Valley, France. The wound was caused by a bullet hitting his chest and passing out through his back. He passd out and when the strecher bearers found him they thought Percival was dead and marked his tunic accordingly. On returning him to the rear they placed the stretcher with all the other deceased soldiers. Shortly after, the orderlies were preparing the dead for burial when one of them heard somebody moaning. On checking through the bodies, they found Private Percival still alive.
4th August 1918: transported by 56th Field Ambulance to field medical station in the rear line.
8th August 1918: Admitted to 32nd Field Hospital, behind rear line for additional medical attention.
25th August 1918: Transported back to England because of seriousness of wound.
26th August 1918: Admitted to Bethnal Green Military Hospital in London.
20th September 1918: Transferred to nursing home to help recouperate from his wounds.
20th November 1918: Percival was recommended for return to to Australia and be given a medical discharged from the Army.
28th November 1918: Transported to Plymouth and embarked on D33 steamer SS Suevic for return to Australia.
Percival was awarded three medals for his service overseas.
1914/15 Star Medal.
British War Medal No. 18477 issued April 1919.
Victory Medal No. 18235 issued April 1919.
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