Bugler Percival Sydney Curson






Percival Sydney Curson
Born in Binham 1896, enlisted Norwich
15574, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
Died of wounds on Thursday 30th September 1915 age 19
Son of Sidney and Louise Curson of Walsingham

Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France
Grave Ref/Panel Number 11 E



also listed on Gt Snoring War Memorial



The 4 year old Percy, born Binham, is recorded on the 1901 census at “Near the Cross” Binham.

This is the household of his parents, Sidney, (aged 31 and a Grocer & Draper from Notting Hill, London), and Louisa, (aged 28 and from Burnham.).

They also have daughters Sybil, (aged 1, born Binham), and Vera, (aged 3, born Binham).

The Curson’s also have a live in servant.



Percy probably died of wounds received in the 9th Battalions first and disastrous taste of action on the 26th September.

The 9th (Service) Battalion was formed at Norwich in September 1914 as part of K3, Kitcheners Third Army.
In September 1914 it was attached to the 71st Brigade, 24th Division. The Battalion was assembled around
Shoreham during September 1914 and it then spent 11 months in training after formation. Uniforms, equipment
and blankets were slow in arriving and they initially wore emergency blue uniforms and carried dummy weapons.

The battalion crossed to France between 28th August and 4th September 1915 where they joined X1 Corps and
were sent up the line for the developing Battle of Loos. They disembarked at Boulogne almost 1000 strong,
but 8 days later were reduced to 16 officers and 555 other ranks.

The battalion lost a total of 1,019 men killed during the First World War. It marched from Montcarrel on the
21st September reaching Bethune on the 25th, before moving up to Lonely Tree Hill south of the La Basée Canal.

They formed up for an attack in support of 11th Essex but were not engaged. At 03:30 on 26th September
orders were received to assist 2nd Brigade on an attack on quarries west of Hulluch. At 05:30 the Battalion
were in what had, the day before, been the German front trenches.

The attack was launched at 06:45 under heavy fire, especially from snipers, after a full night of marching on
empty stomachs and little or no progress was made before the Norfolks sought cover in the trenches.

At 16:00 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment passed through to attack. At 19:00 the Germans
opened fire and the Norfolks were forced to fall back to trenches in the rear to take cover before
being relieved by the Grenadier Guards whereupon they returned to Lonely Tree Hill.

They had lost 5 officers killed and 9 wounded, with 39 other ranks killed, 122 wounded and 34 missing,
a total of 209 casualties sustained in their first action