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Trptr. Percy Wheaton
British Army 4th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:Princetown, Devon
(d.10th Nov 1914)
Percy Wheaton, my uncle, was born on 19th October, 1897 and enlisted very early on, aged 16, at Devonport. Underage, of course. The first Battle of Ypres started on his 17th birthday. He died of wounds on November 10 1914. To this day we do not know why a boy who was obviously well under 19, was sent on service overseas. He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetry.
Editors Note:- The Register of Soldiers Effects (entry number 146685) refers to the death of Trumpeter 37106 Percy Wheaton and gives his date of enlistment as 9th April 1912, whilst still a schoolboy. I can only conclude that, at the age of 14, he has been enrolled as a boy soldier to train on part-time basis. That would account for his involvement so soon in the conflict without the apparent need for full training. That said, the ruling at the time was that all soldiers serving, in conflict, abroad must be aged at least 19. The Army must have been well aware of his age. His next of kin is shown as his father William Bradford.
