This picture appeared in the edition of the Norfolk Chronicle dated Friday, December 10, 1915.
The accompanying article read
THE LATE LIEUT. P. RICHES.
FUNERAL AT WEST RUNTON.
It is with very deep regret that we have to record the death of Lieut. P. Riches, 10th Batt. Norfolk Regiment, which occurred at the Military Hospital at Colchester on Monday last. The deceased officer was very widely known, and highly respected in North Norfolk, his family being very old residents of Cromer, and much sympathy is felt for the family in their great loss. It is only three months ago that he was gazetted 2nd Lieut. He had had previous military training with the Norfolk Yeomanry some years ago, and was just the type of man to make an excellent officer. As recently as a fortnight ago he was home on leave, and with the exception of a slight cold, was in the best of health. On his return to duty last Monday week, the cold developed, and despite every care and attention, pneumonia set in, and he passed away as mentioned. He married the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Pank, of West Runton. Although active service at the Front had not been his lot, he died serving his country, as an Englishman would wish.
THE FUNERAL.
Accorded full military honours, the funeral took place yesterday (Thursday), at West Runton Church. The body was brought from Colchester at noon, and rested in the waiting room until the afternoon, when the coffin, covered by the Union Jack, was carried to the ancient church on a gun carriage, the funeral procession being preceded and followed by officers and men of the 117th Heavy Battery, R.G.A., under Major Forsyth Allen. The service, which was of a very simple nature, hymns and organ music being dispensed with, was conducted by the Rev. F.H. Matthews, Rector of the parish, and seven fellow officers from the deceased’s Regiment acted as bearers, whilst Artillerymen fired the usual three volleys, and sounded the “Last Post” at the graveside.
The family mourners were Mrs. Riches (widow), Mrs. Riches, senr. (mother), Miss Gladys Riches (sister), Mr. and Mrs. T. Pank (father and mother-in-law), Miss Dolly Pank (sister-in-law), and Mr. Howard Pank (brother-in-law). Others at the church and graveside included Mr. F. Rice, Mr. W.H.F. Wortley, Mr. G.A. Rounce, Mr. S. Simons, Mr. Neville A. Pegg, Mr Allan Dale, Mr. C.J.R. Abbs, Mr. C.A. Sadler, Mr. H. Blyth, Mr. J.T. Willis, Sergt. R.R. Bone (presenting the K.O. Norfolk Yeomanry, of which the deceased was formerly a member), Mr. B.T. Rust, Major G.A. Bowes (representing Lieut. Col. Copeman and officers of the 62nd Provisional Battalion), Mr. H. Mace. Mr. A.C. Savin, Mr. J. Abbs, Mr. and Mrs. S.W Cobbald, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Applegate, Mr. J.A. Clarke, Mr. W. Dunham, junr, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferies, Rev. H.C. Fitch, Mr. J. Johnson, Mr. P.C, Sayers, Mrs. Millar, Mrs. E. Lee, Mr. R. Kirby, Mr. J.J. Compton, Mr. S. Bastow, Mr. W.A. Cole, Mr. H. Plumpton, etc.
The coffin bore on the breastplate the inscriptionL “Second-Lieutenant Percy William Riches, 10th Norfolk Regt.; Died, Dec. 6th 1915; Aged 30 years.”
The senders of wreaths included Colonel and officers of 10th Norfolk Regiment; Warrant Officers and Sergeants of the 10th Batt. 2nd Norfolk Regt; officers of the 9th and 10th wards Military Hospital, Colchester; the widow; Mrs. Riches; Miss Gladys Riches; from all at Aston Villa; Mr. and Mrs. F. Bird; Mr. and Mrs. A. Bird; Mr. and Mrs Stanley Simons; Messrs. F. Rice and W.E. Newman; Mr. Neville Pegg; Mr. and Mrs, Cecil Renwick Abbs; Mr. and Mrs. Jefferies; Mr. and Mrs. Allan Dale; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sadler; Mr. and Mrs. George Rounce; Mr. and Mrs. W.H.F. Wortley; and Mr. and Mrs. E. Bray.
Nr. G.W. Wilkin had charge of the local funeral arrangements, and the family wish particularly Major Forsyth Allen and officers of the R.G.A. for their great kindness.
RICHES, PERCY WILLIAM
Rank:………………………………Second Lieutenant
Date of Death:……………….06/12/1915
Age:……………………………….30
Regiment:………………………Norfolk Regiment, 10th Bn.
Grave Reference:…………North of church.
Cemetery:
WEST RUNTON (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD
Additional Information:
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Riches, of Cromer; husband of Clara Elizabeth Crowe (formerly Riches), of "Brookdale," West Runton.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2802731/RICHES,%20PER...
SDGW does record 2/Lt (TP) Percy William Riches as Died on the 6th December 1915 while serving with the 10th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Like all officers, no place of birth or residence is shown and enlistment isn’t relevant.
The Medal Index Card for Second Lieutenant Percy William Riches, Norfolk Regiment is held at National Archive under reference WO 372/16/225892.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D4856120
No match on Picture Norfolk.
Baptism
The baptism of Percy William Riches, born 15th August 1885, took place at St Peter and St Paul, Cromer on the 18th October 1885. Parents were George, a Carpenter, and Elizabeth Read Riches. The family resided in Cromer.
I also came across the baptism of his sister, Gladys Charlotte, born 7th August 1888, which took place on the 9th September 1888 in the same church. Father George was listed as a Builder.
Also his brother Karl Norman, born 28th May 1893, was baptised in the same church on the 31st December 1893.
Brother Alan Eric, born 3rd May 1895 was baptised on the 24th November 1895.While brother Donald Leslie, born 10th November 1897, was baptised on the12th December 1897.
Census
The 5 year old Percy W, born Cromer, was recorded on the 1891 census at “Glencoe”, Norwich Road, Cromer. This was the household of his parents, George, (aged 35 and a Builders Manager from Cromer) and Elizabeth L, (aged 33 and from South Lynn, Norfolk). As well as Percy, their other children are:-
Walter J…………..aged 12………born Cromer
Gladys C………….aged 2……….born Cromer.
They then have two servants and 8 boarders, made up almost entirely of two families.
By the time of the 1901 census the family were at 8 Church Street, Cromer. Percy, 15, is still recorded as a Scholar. Father George, aged 46 now lists himself as a Builder. His wife Elizabeth gives her birthplace as Kings Lynn. Other children in the household are:-
Gladys C……….aged 12…………born Cromer
Karl…………….aged 7…………..born Cromer
Alan E………….aged 5……………born Cromer
Donald L……….aged 3…………..born Cromer
They then had two cousins and five boarders living with them.
Moving on to the 1911 census, the 25 year old Percy is recorded as the married head of the household at Grove Farm, Felbrigg, Roughton, Norwich. He was a self-employed Farmer. He lives there with his wife, Clara, aged 26 and from Birmingham, Warwickshire. The couple have been married 4 years. So far the couple have had 2 children, both then still alive. They are:-
Joyce………….aged 3……………….born West Runton
Dennis………..aged 6 months………born Felbrigg
Marriage and other family records
The marriage of a Percy William Riches, aged 21 and a Bachelor Farmer from Sheringham, to Clara Elizabeth Pank, aged 22 and a Spinster from Runton, took place at Holy Trinity, Runton on the 24th January 1907. His father was George Riches, Builder, while hers was Tom Pank, Engineer. Witnesses were George Riches and Alfred Heath.
From August 1911 onwards it became compulsory in England and Wales to record the mothers maiden name when a birth was registered, however, going through the General Registrars Index of birth I cannot find a single combination of family name Riches, mothers maiden name Pank at any point.
May be a co-incidence, but the marriage of a Clara E Riches to a William J. Crowe was recorded in the Erpingham District of Norfolk in the January to March quarter of 1918.
On the day
A note in the Easter 1916 edition of the Norwich High School Magazine confirms that he died of Pneumonia at Colchester, December 6th 1915. He appears in the section “Old Boarders of the High School”.
www.worldwar1schoolarchives.org/wp-content/.../09/1916_Ea...
Mildy photoshopped to reduce impact of damage present on the original image.
