Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Born: 1st May 1914
Story
Percy was the son of Purcell Gummerson (1876-1945) and Mary Ann Summerton (1876-1940), who lived at Hanover Place, and married in Kippax on Christmas Day 1899. Purcell worked as a Boot and Shoe Dealer on Kippax Main Street, and sang for virtually all his life in the Kippax Parish Church Choir. His son Percy was educated at the City School of Commerce in Leeds, and worked for ten years as a Kippax Parish Church Sunday School teacher. By 1939 Percy was living at 17 The Quarry, Alwoodley, and he was employed as a Bookkeeper for Proctor Bros. Leeds, a wholesale wine maker on Call Lane, Leeds. He also married Annie Lavin in 1939.
At the outbreak of War, Percy joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (R.E.M.E.). He trained in the army as an instrument mechanic and went abroad in 1941. Percy was stationed in Singapore during the War, and sent a message to his wife Annie in January 1941, but she heard no further news from Percy for many months. On 15th February 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese, and 80,000 British troops were captured (pictured below). The British prime minister, Winston Churchill, called it the “worst disaster” in British military history.
In June 1942, Percy was able to confirm to his wife that he was being held as a Prisoner of War by the Japanese at Malai Furyo Shuyo Sho No. 3. He made a radio message in 1944, saying: “In good health. Hoping to see you soon. Good reading in news. Hope you are all well. Try radio reply. My love always. Fred.” Querying whether the name attached to the message was from her husband Percy, Annie was informed that words were sometimes picked up wrongly, and they were sure Percy sent the message. In response, Annie sent a message by airmail to India to be broadcast to Percy.
Percy wrote another letter, which was reported on 24th August 1945, predicting the war would soon be over, he was still punching and doing plenty of work. By this time, his brother-in-law William Lavin had been killed in action on 8th June 1943, and his father Purcell had also died on 31st January 1945. In both cases, Percy hadn’t been informed, as Annie was determined her that husband would come back to Alwoodley. Percy did indeed return home, and he moved back to Kippax with Annie. The couple were living at 239 Leeds Road in 1961. Percy passed away in 1983, and Annie died the following year.
Below: Major General Joslin inspecting ‘C’ Company, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Honiton Camp
Kippax Roll of Honour 