Percy Hodges: Thursday 25th April 1918

Percy Hodges enlisted with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regiment as Private 41030, and later gained a temporary commission as Second Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders. It seems likely he was killed during the Battle of the Lys and is buried at the Clytte Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

His grave inscription reads “RATHER DEATHE THAN FALSE OF FAYTHE.” His regiment is wrongly given as the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regiment, but this may be explained as he received his t/comm 10 days before his death. His next of kin are John and Elizabeth Kate Hodges, of 9, Heathfield Rd., Wandsworth. Probate of £291 was awarded in 1919 and stated Percy lived at 9, Heathfield Rd. 

Percy was born in 1895 and was baptised on the 26 June at Battersea Christ Church, Wandsworth, the son of John, a Commerical Clark, and Elizabeth Kate Hodges. They were living at 56 Thirsk Rd, Lavender Hill, and continued to do so until sometime after 1911 when they moved to the Parish. The family had two other children, Frank Stephen, born 1897, and Elizabeth, born 1900. They had 1 servant.

Percy is commemorated on SMM Memorial after Bernard Holloway rather than in his strict alphabetic place.  Hodges is the only surname on both the SMM First and Second World War memorials.  The WW2 Hodges is likely to be Dennis William Hodges from Balham, who served with the RAF Volunteer Reserve and died 19 October 1942, being buried in Earlsfield.  He is also listed on the TRC memorial.  There is, however, as yet no indication that they were related.