Percival James Parsons was born in the summer of 1898, and was the fourth of eight children to Henry and Emily. Henry was a railway labourer from Chilton Burtle, Somerset, and it was in the neighbouring hamlet of Chilton on Polden (now Chilton Polden) that the family were born and raised.

There is little documented about Percival’s short life. When war came to Europe, he was just 16 years of age. He was keen to play his part, however, probably spurred on by seeing his older brothers or friends step up.

Percival enlisted as soon as he turned 18 years old. He joined the Royal Field Artillery and was sent to Hampshire for training. Gunner Parsons was attached to E Battery of the 7th (Reserve) Brigade, a unit based ultimately in India during the confluct.

Gunner Parsons, however, was not to see service abroad. While he was training, he became unwell, contracting pneumonia. Admitted to the Frensham Hill Military Hospital, he was to succumb to the condition, passing away on 28th March 1917. He was just 18 years of age.

Percival James Parsons’ family had moved to Highbridge by this point, and it was here that Henry and Emily’s boy was taken for burial. He was laid to rest in the town’s cemetery.

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