Private SD/156 Percy Dumbrill Clack of the 16th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

...was born at All Souls, Eastbourne, in the spring of 1897, the son of Charles Samuel Clack (1865 to 1934) and Alfreda Isabella Bertha Steane (1868 to 1902).

The 1901 census finds the family at 46, Longstone Road, Eastbourne. Charles aged 35 is an upholsterer born at Brighton. Alfreda aged 32 was born at Newbury, Berkshire. Children recorded are Frederick aged 14, an errand boy for a piano shop, Charles, aged 9, Alfred aged 6, Percy aged 4 and Winifred aged 1. Alfred was born at Hailsham but the rest were born at Eastbourne. Alfreda died in 1902, daughter Winifred died in 1903 and son Alfred died in 1910.

Charles married Ann Hunt at Eastbourne in 1910. The 1911 census finds the couple at 10, Clarence Road, Eastbourne. Charles is still an upholsterer, Ann, aged 31 was born at Eastbourne. Children recorded are Charles, a clerk at a gas works and Percy. Also with the family is father of pensioner James Hunt, aged 72, father of Ann, he was born at Eastbourne.

Percy was working as a salesman for the upholsterer Bobby & Co at Eastbourne when he enlisted into the Royal Sussex Regiment at Eastbourne on the 10th of September, 1914. He was posted the same day to the 11th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment.

On the 26th of May 1915, he was appointed Lance Corporal.

On the 4th of June 1916, Percy disembarked in France. He was wounded on the 12th of July 1916, and taken to 1 Casualty Clearing Station and thence to hospital at Etaples before returning to duty on the 15th of December.

He was again wounded on the 1st of August 1917, when he received a shrapnel wound to his right knee. He was again taken to hospital at Etaples via a Casualty Clearing Station, and on the 8th, he evacuated home and admitted to Brighton General Hospital. On the 23rd of February 1918, he was posted to the 3rd Battalion. Following treatment and recovery, Percy returned to France on the 5th of April, 1918, arriving there the following day.

On the 6th of April he was posted as a Private with the 2nd Battalion, on the 11th he went to the 9th Battalion and finally, on the 25th of July 1918, was posted to the 11th Battalion. 

In September 1918, the Battalion were in the area of Templeaux le Guerard, east of Peronne.

On the 18th of September, a creeping artillery barrage commenced on enemy lines at 05.20 in heavy rain and darkness. The weather and the smoke from the barrage reduced visibility to no more than five yards, making it difficult to maintain the line of advance. The attack was a great success for the loss two officers and nine other ranks, of which Private Clack was one. Forty three other ranks were injured, several of whom died in the ensuing few days. Between 400 and 500 prisoners were taken and all objectives taken.

Percy was initially interred close to where he fell, a cross was used to mark his grave and this was used to identify him post war when his body was exhumed for re-burial in St Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon.

Percy Clack is remembered on the family grave in Ocklynge Cemetery, Sussex. Buried here is Father Charles Samuel, died 7th October 1934 aged 69. Mother Elizabeth; Charles died 11th March 1933 aged 41; Alfred died 23rd July 1910 aged 16 and Winifred, died 3rd August 1903 aged 3.

Percy had been a scout with the 4th Eastbourne Troop and appears on the Scouts Association First World War Roll of Honour.

In March 1919, the family received his personal effects, consisting of letters, cards, photos, a wallet and a diary. Then, on September the 9th, 1919, the family signed the receipt for Percy’s Memorial Scroll.