Percy Boswell (1894 -1916) Age 22 died On This Day 1 July 1916
2nd Lieutenant, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Percy George Boswell lived at 26 Norfolk House Road, Streatham with his father Lewis Charles Boswell a Bookseller, mother Caroline, brother Charles Randolph and sister-in-law Clara
He joined the war effort as part of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. After receiving the necessary training, Percy joined the regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant and was sent overseas to serve in France. In July 1916, he was involved in the first major British offensive of the war, the Battle of the Somme. This full scale frontal attack, supplemented by an intense and prolonged bombardment, was intended to cause a massive blow to the German Army and ease the pressure off the French at Verdun.
In a letter to his family on the day before the attack, Percy expressed his optimism about the operation. He was confident the attack would be a success and stated he was sure he would survive the battle.
“The Hun is going to get consummate hell just in this quarter and we are going over the top tomorrow when I hope to spend a few merry hours in chasing the Bosch all over the place,” he predicted with jaunty confidence. “I am absolutely certain that I shall get through all right, but in case the unexpected happens I shall rest content with the knowledge that I have done my duty – and one can’t do more.”
Unfortunately, Percy did not survive and he was killed in action on July 1st when leading his men in attack. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
In 2016 the owners of 26 Norfolk House Terrace marked the 100th Anniversary of his death by putting up a memorial for the former resident of the house
Percy's last letter to his family was featured in an article published by the Guardian and extracts reproduced by kind permission of Aleyns's School ©Alleyns School Dulwich are included above.
Images [© IWM (HU 35941)](https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205127607) and [@streathamgem](https://twitter.com/streathamgem)
He is buried at West Norwood Cemetery
2nd Lieutenant, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Percy George Boswell lived at 26 Norfolk House Road, Streatham with his father Lewis Charles Boswell a Bookseller, mother Caroline, brother Charles Randolph and sister-in-law Clara
He joined the war effort as part of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. After receiving the necessary training, Percy joined the regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant and was sent overseas to serve in France. In July 1916, he was involved in the first major British offensive of the war, the Battle of the Somme. This full scale frontal attack, supplemented by an intense and prolonged bombardment, was intended to cause a massive blow to the German Army and ease the pressure off the French at Verdun.
In a letter to his family on the day before the attack, Percy expressed his optimism about the operation. He was confident the attack would be a success and stated he was sure he would survive the battle.
“The Hun is going to get consummate hell just in this quarter and we are going over the top tomorrow when I hope to spend a few merry hours in chasing the Bosch all over the place,” he predicted with jaunty confidence. “I am absolutely certain that I shall get through all right, but in case the unexpected happens I shall rest content with the knowledge that I have done my duty – and one can’t do more.”
Unfortunately, Percy did not survive and he was killed in action on July 1st when leading his men in attack. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
In 2016 the owners of 26 Norfolk House Terrace marked the 100th Anniversary of his death by putting up a memorial for the former resident of the house
Percy's last letter to his family was featured in an article published by the Guardian and extracts reproduced by kind permission of Aleyns's School ©Alleyns School Dulwich are included above.
Images [© IWM (HU 35941)](https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205127607) and [@streathamgem](https://twitter.com/streathamgem)
He is buried at West Norwood Cemetery
