The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions

Percy George Johnson.

Percy was born in Farcet and gave that place as his home when he enlisted in the Hunts Cyclist Battalion.
Records show that he enlisted in the HCB some time before the 26th June 1915, when he is first found in local records. He was given the HCB number of 403 and was posted to H company of the 1/1st Battalion.

Records indicate that he enlisted at Yaxley, Huntingdonshire - he gave his parents as George William and the late Esther Johnson.

This photo clearly shows his 'Rampant Stag' cap badge and his 'T - HUNTS' collar badge. His buttons would also have had the stag and Huntingdonshire embossed on them.

Percy died in the Red Cross Hospital, Filey, Yorkshire on the 13/5/1915.
He was buried in Farcet cemetery in plot 85 - he was 19 years of age when he died.

This is his grave in Farcet cemetery - the Farcet war memorial can be seen in the background.

One local newspaper states - Percy Johnson was 19, a private and died 13/5/1915, he was the son of George William and the late Esther Johnson. He was born in Farcet. He had his funeral at Farcet, he died in the Red Cross Hospital at Filey aged 19. It carried the photo of him in HCB uniform that is shown above.

From an unknown local newspaper dated 22^nd May 1915.

Military Funeral at Farcet.

With military honours the funeral took place at Farcet on Monday of Private Percy Johnson, of H Company, of the 1^st Hunts. Cyclist Battalion, who died on Thursday at the British Red Cross Hospital, Filey, Yorks.

The body was reverently brought home on Saturday by five soldiers out of his company, under Sergt P. Rimes. The Herts. Territorials sent a company under Sergt. Major Perry with a firing squad, and the buglers sounded the “Last Post.”

A very large and sympathetic congregation filled the Church, where the first part of the service was held, the Vicar [Rev. A. Hewetson, M.A.] conducting. Mrs. J. Whitticase was at the organ and rendered “O, Rest in the Lord” and as the possession left the Church the “Death March” in “Saul” was played.

The service at the graveside was an affecting one. The chief mourners were: Mr. George Johnson [father], Miss Lilly Johnson [sister], Mrs C. Blott [grandmother], Mr John Blott [ uncle], Mr and Mrs W. Hufford uncle and aunt], Mr and Mrs C. W. Blott [uncles and aunts], Sergeant and Mrs F. Dexter [uncle and aunt], Mr and Mrs J. Dunkley, Mr and Mrs George Dunkley, Mr and Mrs S. Johnson [uncles and aunts], Mrs W. Cox New England [aunt], Bert Johnson, Archie Johnson, Pte. George Blott, Kathleen Blott, Lilly Blott, Rose Blott, Mr and Mrs Pack, Fossie Dunkley, Reggie Hufford, Edie Dexter, Harry Dexter [cousins], Mrs S. Head [aunt], Mrs George Bass, Mrs J. Head, Mr and Mrs O. Head [cousins], Mrs Clarke, Mrs Smith, Mrs Corney, Mrs J Arnold and several members of the Wesleyan Church; Mr J Arnold [Chief Ranger, A. O. F], Pte C. Peach, Mr R J Rimes [representing the A. O. F]; Parish Council, Mr George Ward, Mr A J Bird, C.C., Mr D a Moore, Mr J. Wade, Mr J Brown, Mr F. Leeder, Mr W. Scotney, Mr George Scott, Mr C A Brown, etc. The coffin bore the inscription "Percy George Johnson, died May 13, 1915, aged 19 years."

There were several beautiful floral tributes.

Farcet War Memorial photographs.

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

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09/04/2012
. . Martyn Smith ©

	Percy was born in Farcet and gave that place as his home when he enlisted in the Hunts Cyclist Battalion. Records show that he enlisted in the HCB some time before the 26th June 1915, when he is first found in local records. He was given the HCB number of 403 and was posted to H company of the 1/1st Battalion. Records indicate that he enlisted at Yaxley, Huntingdonshire - he gave his parents as George William and the late Esther Johnson. This photo clearly shows his 'Rampant Stag' cap badge and his 'T - HUNTS' collar badge. His buttons would also have had the stag and Huntingdonshire embossed on them.
	Percy died in the Red Cross Hospital, Filey, Yorkshire on the 13/5/1915. He was buried in Farcet cemetery in plot 85 - he was 19 years of age when he died. This is his grave in Farcet cemetery - the Farcet war memorial can be seen in the background.
	One local newspaper states - Percy Johnson was 19, a private and died 13/5/1915, he was the son of George William and the late Esther Johnson. He was born in Farcet. He had his funeral at Farcet, he died in the Red Cross Hospital at Filey aged 19. It carried the photo of him in HCB uniform that is shown above.
From an unknown local newspaper dated 22^nd May 1915. Military Funeral at Farcet. With military honours the funeral took place at Farcet on Monday of Private Percy Johnson, of H Company, of the 1^st Hunts. Cyclist Battalion, who died on Thursday at the British Red Cross Hospital, Filey, Yorks. The body was reverently brought home on Saturday by five soldiers out of his company, under Sergt P. Rimes. The Herts. Territorials sent a company under Sergt. Major Perry with a firing squad, and the buglers sounded the “Last Post.” A very large and sympathetic congregation filled the Church, where the first part of the service was held, the Vicar [Rev. A. Hewetson, M.A.] conducting. Mrs. J. Whitticase was at the organ and rendered “O, Rest in the Lord” and as the possession left the Church the “Death March” in “Saul” was played. The service at the graveside was an affecting one. The chief mourners were: Mr. George Johnson [father], Miss Lilly Johnson [sister], Mrs C. Blott [grandmother], Mr John Blott [ uncle], Mr and Mrs W. Hufford uncle and aunt], Mr and Mrs C. W. Blott [uncles and aunts], Sergeant and Mrs F. Dexter [uncle and aunt], Mr and Mrs J. Dunkley, Mr and Mrs George Dunkley, Mr and Mrs S. Johnson [uncles and aunts], Mrs W. Cox New England [aunt], Bert Johnson, Archie Johnson, Pte. George Blott, Kathleen Blott, Lilly Blott, Rose Blott, Mr and Mrs Pack, Fossie Dunkley, Reggie Hufford, Edie Dexter, Harry Dexter [cousins], Mrs S. Head [aunt], Mrs George Bass, Mrs J. Head, Mr and Mrs O. Head [cousins], Mrs Clarke, Mrs Smith, Mrs Corney, Mrs J Arnold and several members of the Wesleyan Church; Mr J Arnold [Chief Ranger, A. O. F], Pte C. Peach, Mr R J Rimes [representing the A. O. F]; Parish Council, Mr George Ward, Mr A J Bird, C.C., Mr D a Moore, Mr J. Wade, Mr J Brown, Mr F. Leeder, Mr W. Scotney, Mr George Scott, Mr C A Brown, etc. The coffin bore the inscription "Percy George Johnson, died May 13, 1915, aged 19 years." *There were several beautiful floral tributes.*
	Farcet War Memorial photographs.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
	Return to Soldiers Section.		Return to Main Menu.
09/04/2012	.	.	*Martyn Smith* ©