Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Percy Short was born in the 4th quarter of 1882 in Pulborough, Sussex to carter and agricultural labourer Frederick and Sarah (nee Balchin0.
Percy’s father Frederick was born about 1861 in Pulborough. Percy’s mother Sarah was born about 1859 in Pulborough or West Chiltington, Sussex to farm labourer William Balchin, born about 1816 in West Burton Sussex, and Anne. Sarah was baptised on the 11th of December 1859 in West Chiltington. During the time of the 1881 Census, Sarah was a cook for Frank W. Hammond, a farmer of 160 acres employing 8 men and a boy, at Nyetimber Farm in Sussex. Frederick and Sarah married on 1st October 1881 in West Chiltington.
Percy had five siblings: Arthur William born in the 1st quarter of 1885; Frederick born in the 4th quarter of 1886; Margaret Annie Short born in the 2nd quarter of 1888, all in Pulborough; Sarah Victoria born about 1891 in Fittleworth Sussex, and Jonathan born in the 1st quarter of 1895 in Brockham, Surrey.
During the 1891 Census, the family lived at Amen Cottage, Fittleworth. Frederick was working as an agricultural labourer and Sarah was looking after their children: Percy, Arthur, Frederick and Margaret.
During the 1901 Census, the family lived at Park Farm Cottages in Dorking, Surrey. Frederick was working as a carter on a farm and Sarah was at home. Percy was working as a horseman on a farm, Arthur was a dairy boy on a farm, Frederick was a farm boy and Margaret, Sarah and Jonathan were at school.
Sarah Short died in 1901 and was buried on the 10th of July 1901 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of her death she still lived at Park Farm Cottages.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Percy was working as a butler to Rose A. Roberts, a widow of independent means, at 1 Wilton Crescent, SW, Belgravia, London. The house had sixteen rooms.
Percy Short enlisted into the Army in September 1914 in Guildford, Surrey. He became a private and later Lance Corporal of the 7th Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. At the time of enlistment he resided in Dorking. His regimental number was G/1875.
Percy disembarked in France on the 27th of July 1915.
Percy Short married on the 22nd of January 1916 to Kate Warren at St John in North Holmwood. At the time of the marriage Percy was a Lance Corporal of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment and was living at Belldams Farm in North Holmwood. Kate was living at Torthorwald in North Holmwood. Less than six months later Percy was dead.
Kate Warren was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Dorking to labourer Thomas, born about 1843, and Elizabeth, born about 1847 both in Newdigate Surrey. At the time of the 1901 Census, Kate was a parlour maid to Flora Carlile at Torthorwald in North Holmwood. At the time of the 1911 Census, Kate was still a parlour maid, to clergyman and head of the Church Army, Prebendary Wilson Carlile and Flora Carlile at Torthorwald in North Holmwood. The house had fourteen rooms.
“Wilson Carlile was an English evangelist who founded the Church Army, and was Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral. Known as “The Chief,” Wilson Carlile has inspired generations of evangelists.”
Percy Short was killed on the 1st of July 1916 on the first day at the Somme, France. His body was never found.
At 7.30am the 7th Battalion the Queen’s regiment assaulted the German trenches near the commune of Montauban, Somme. After 12 hours fighting the final objective west of Montauban was reached and consolidated on a front of about 260 yards. During the action the battalion suffered heavy losses: 174 men were killed, 284 wounded and 56 missing.
LCE-CORPL. P. SHORT
Official intimation has been received by Mrs. Short, of Belldams Farm, Stonebridge, that her husband, Lce-Corpl. Percy Short, The Queen’s R.W.S Regt., was killed on July 1st. He joined up in Sept., 1914, and went out to France in July 1915, In civil life he was a carter in the employ of Messrs. T. Meakins and Son, Ltd, and had only been married a few months.
Percy Short Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
According to the 1916 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, Percy’s wife Kate was notified about her husband’s death in August 1916. At this time she lived at Belldams Farm in Stonebridge. She later moved to 9 Hampstead Road in Dorking, Surrey. Percy’s father Frederick Short lived at Deerleap Cottages in Wotton, Surrey.
Percy is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial to the missing in Somme, France on the Pier and Face 5D and 6D.
Percy received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
| Born | Pulborough, Sussex | |
| Son of | Frederick and Sarah Short of Deerleap Cottages, Wotton | |
| Husband of | Kate Short of 9 Hampstead Road, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 7th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) | |
| Number | G/1875 | |
| Date of Death | 1st July 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 33 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, France |
