PERKS, Wilfrid

Wilfred Perks was the son of David and Mary Perks of 27 Vicarage Road, Lye. He worked for W.H. Stevens, a builder of Lye, and was a Sunday School teacher at the Primitive Methodist chapel. He enlisted in the Worcesters when 18 and joined the 4th Battalion which was heavily involved in the Arras battles of April and May 1917. From August they fought in the Third battle of Ypres. On the 16th August they were at Langemarck and on the 4th October at Broodseinde but their most serious engagement was at Poelcappelle on the 9th October. In spite of the weather the Worcesters won considerable ground and Private Dancox was awarded the Victoria Cross. However, losses were suffered and Private Wilfred Perks was killed by shell-fire on this day, He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.