Sgt. P.T. Wrightson
|
|
| First name(s): |
Percival Tom |
| Rank: |
Sergeant |
| Number: |
200999 |
| Regiment etc. |
2/5th Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regt. |
| Date Died: |
5th May 1917 |
| Cemetery/Memorial |
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. |
Percy was the son of Tom and Elizabeth Wrightson, who lived in the village of Killinghall, before moving to Electric Avenue, New Park. He was married to M. Wrightson who is recorded as living at Bachelor Gardens, Bilton.
He worked as a driver for Harrogate Corporation before joining the army.
Percy was wounded in the head, almost certainly on 3rd May 1917, during a major attack at a village called Bullecourt, which took place in the final stages of the Battle of Arras.
The 2/5th West Yorks attacked and entered the village of Bullecourt and advanced right through it. Unfortunately, the troops who were following them in support, were held up and forced to retire. Without this support, the West Yorks were unable to hold the village against German counter-attacks and they too were forced to retire.
Percy's wound was clearly serious and he was taken off the battlefield and transported to the 13th Stationary Hospital near Boulogne, on the French coast.
He was unconscious when he was admitted to hospital and he never regained consciousness. He was operated on, but died about eight hours later. Serious head wounds are amongst the most dangerous, even today. During WW1 the survival rate for this type of wound was very low indeed.
Meanwhile, his wife received a telegram to say that he had been killed in action. Sadly, the telegram proved to be prophetic, as Percy sucumbed to his head wound in hospital just two days after being wounded.