Percy Abbott Bankes

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: Royal West Kent Regiment / Royal Air Force

Fiancee: Miss Cicely B Rathbone

Miss Rathbone’s Address: Staffordshire House, York Buildings, Hastings

Other Info: …Was recently decorated with the Military Cross by His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace. He won his decoration on 2nd August 1917 while in command of the Royal West Kent Regiment in France. He went out first in July 1916 and came home in December the same year having won his commission. He left again for France on June 16th, and returned to receive his decoration on September 8th. He is now in training as observation officer and gunner in the Royal Flying Corps.

Percy’s medal citation is as follows: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a hostile attack on our trenches. It was his steadiness and coolness during three hours’ bombardment and during the actual attack that encouraged the men to put up such a stout resistance. He was the life and soul of the defence, and wherever the men appeared to waver he was there urging and encouraging them to hold out. When our men were driven out of the saps he at once attacked and recaptured all the saps except one. His quick grasp of the situation proved him to be a most valuable and gallant officer”

According to CWGC, Percy died on 22nd February 1919. He is remembered at Brockley Cemetery, grave reference A.978.

Published: November 1917

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