|
20073 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Percy Sillett was born around 1896 in Harleston in Norfolk, one of eleven children of James Frederick and Eliza Sillett. The family moved to Sudbury where his father was employed as ‘an engine driver’ in a local brewery and the family lived at 5 Girling Street before later moving to 23 Plough Lane.
Before enlisting to serve with the Suffolk Regiment, Percy was employed as a farmhand. He first served in France on 7 December 1915. In October 1915 the Battalion had been transferred from 8th Brigade and formed part of 76th Brigade, 3rd Division. In February 1916 the battalion had intensive training with the 3rd Division for a frontal assault to recapture ‘The Bluff’. This was a mound alongside the Ypres-Comines Canal created when the canal was excavated. Whoever held this mound had the advantage of observation over the battlefield.
The weather was extremely cold and snowfalls delayed the plans until 1 March when the battalion was part of the leading infantry when the attack was launched at 4.15am. The Division recaptured the Bluff and other objectives but suffered 1,622 British casualties. Percy served alongside another Sudbury man Harry Barber who with Percy was one of these casualties.
Percy was killed in action on 2 March 1916 aged 20. There is no known grave and he is remembered on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium. A Cross of Remembrance was laid at the Menin Gate, Ypres in April 2006, April 2009 and October 2012.
Percy was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Four months later his older brother Leonard lost his life on 1 July 1916 serving with the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and is also remembered on the Sudbury War Memorial. Neither brother has a known grave.
Back to Roll of Honour
|
