From local papers dated 16th June 1917 and 13th June 1917.

'Safe and Well'

The friends of Pte Percy Abbott, Cyclist Battalion, attached to the Warwickshires will be glad to hear that he is safe and well.  He is the son of Pte Walter Abbott who is in hospital in Mesopotamia , and of Mrs. Abbott of 104 Wellington Street . Some concern has not unnaturally been caused to the family through the name Pte P. Abbott appeared in the local Roll of Honour under the heading killed. Pte Percy Abbott has been in hospital with inflammation of the foot, but he is now better. 

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On his enlistment into the HCB he gave his address as 104 Wellington Street, Peterborough.

Initially he was given the HCB number 347 and served with the 1/1st Battalion [on the Yorkshire Coast]. He would then have volunteered to serve overseas - 'Imperial Service' - and went as private 203372 into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment  ( T. F. ) .  He was possibly part of a group of men that went to France in July 1916 to replace the men killed on the 1st July 1916 on the Somme.

Family Data:

Percy is part of the Abbott family which had part of their roots in Polebrook. Percy was born in Peterborough in 1897 to Walter and Mary Ann Abbott (nee Leeton) and he was baptised at St Mary’s, Peterborough on the 15-8-1897.

Family information kindly supplied by Brian Curtis. 

If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com

09/04/2012