Percy William Brann (1888–1917)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 2767
20024
269245
1/7th Battalion

Biography
Born at Wittersham, Kent, Percy moved to Reading, Berks, as a child. He had lived with the Crookes family at Plaistow Hall Farm for about fourteen months, working as their milk delivery man, prior to enlistment in Oct 1914. Previously, he had served with the army in India. Entering France in March 1915, he was killed in action in March 1917. He is buried at Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France, and is listed on the war memorial at Crich.

Medal Index Record
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals and he entered France on 1 March 1915.

Newspaper Report

Derbyshire Courier, 24 March 1917
ANOTHER CRICH SHERWOOD FALLS
News was received this week by Mr and Mrs Sherbrooke Crookes, of Plaistow Green Farm, Crich, that Private Percy Brann fell in action on 5 March. Private Brann’s sister at Reading sent a letter in which she says: "It is with deep sorrow that I have to inform you that this morning we had a letter from the chaplain of the – Battalion Sherwood Foresters, telling us that my dear brother Percy was killed in action on 5 March, and that he only lived a few minutes before his life was laid down for his country. It came as a great shock to us all, and especially to mother, and I know you will extend your sympathy to us. His commanding officer said that he was a brave soldier and one who will be greatly missed. He eagerly anticipated coming back to you when this terrible war was over."
Mr and Mrs and Miss Crookes received a letter from Private Brann, written the day before he fell, and he said he was in the best of health. "Will Curzon is home now then," he wrote. "Well, he has done his bit, there's no mistake about it, and it's a bad job to lose a limb. I see there are two or three more from Crich who enlisted at the same time as I did who have been killed." Private Brann whose home is at Reading, was with Mr Crookes for about 14 months prior to the outbreak of war, and was almost regarded as a son.
He was popular also in the Alfreton district, where he carried out the milk delivery from Mr Crookes. He had seen service with the colours previously, and he served in India. When the war broke out he could not resist his countries call and at the first recruiting meeting at Crich, in September 1914, he headed the first batch of volunteers for service. During his service of more than two years in France, he passed through a tremendous lot of fighting, and he was badly gassed on one occasion. It is a sad coincidence that of the four men in Mr Crookes service prior to the war three have fallen in France. The other is still serving there.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Name BRANN
Initials P.W.
Nationality United Kingdom
Rank Private
Regiment/Service Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Service Number 269245
Unit 7th Bn
Date of Death 05/03/17
Additional Information Son of William George and Minnie Brann, of 13, Kent Rd., Reading
Casualty type Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference II. D. 12.
Cemetery FONCQUEVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

Memorial to Percy Brann WW1

Soldiers' Effects Book
Brann Percy William; 1/7th Bn Notts & Derby; Private 20024; killed in action 5.3.17; War Gratuity £10 10s 0d; paid out to:
13.6.17 father William George £14 10s 3d
5.12.19 father William Gorge £10 10s 0d

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Reading

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
William Brown Head 36 Corn trade Wittersham
Minnie Brown wife 36   Wittersham
Percy Brown son 13   Wittersham
Doris Brown daughter 7   Wytchling
Ida Brown daughter 5   Reading

RG13 piece 1145 folio 49 page 17

[Note: In 1901 his surname was recorded as BROWN not BRANN].

1911: Reading

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
William Brann Head 46 Corn stores labourer Wittersham
Minnie Brann wife 46 Household duties Wittersham
Percy Brann son 23 Gardener, domestic Wittersham
Ida Brann daughter 15   Reading
Sidney Brann son 9   Reading
Martin Brann son 4   Reading
Otto Brann nephew 5   Reading

RG14PN6568 RG78PN326 RD121 SD1 ED13 SN382