BEALEY, Percy

Percy Bealey was the son of William Bealey of 66 Tamworth Road, Two Gates, Tamworth, and lived at 69 Ivanhoe Street, Woodside, Dudley. He enlisted in the Berkshires and went to the 1st Battalion in the 2nd Division which had been involved in the Great War since the first day. Percy Bealey probably arrived in 1918 to face the first German Spring offensive at St. Quentin. The Berkshires were then engaged in the Advance to Victory from August to November. They fought bravely in crossing the Canal du Nord and on the 6th October came into line again for the crucial Battle of Cambrai. It started with an early morning barrage and the sight and impact of five captured British tanks in German hands. The Berkshires acting in support passed through the first line troops and captured Forenville, a success that obliged the enemy to abandon Cambrai. Private Percy Bealey was killed in the capture of Forenville and is buried in Forenville Cemetery (A 10). He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Dudley and Woodside Memorials.