PERKS, Harry

Harry Perks was the son of David and Lavinia Perks of Lye and worked originally as a plate layer on the Great Western Railway. By the time of the Great War he was married with two children and living at 79 High Street, Wollaston, where they had a drapery and ladies outfitting business. He enlisted early in 1917 and joined the 4th Battalion of the Worcesters. His final leave before being sent abroad had been as recent as October. He arrived in the front line just before the battle of Cambrai which opened on the 20th November. The Worcesters followed up the original breakthrough but had to face a powerful German counter attack. Among the many casualties was Private Harry Perks who was killed in action on the 22 November. He was 40 years of age and is buried in Canadian Cemetery No. 2, Neuville St. Vaast (2 F 7). He is commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote, Stourbridge and Wollaston church Memorials.