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220443 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment
Percy Ratcliffe was born in Ballingdon, Sudbury around 1896, one of six surviving children of Henry (Harry) and Eliza Ratcliffe. His father was a bootmaker and the family lived at 63 Ballingdon Street. At the age of 15 Percy was employed as a Post Messenger.
Percy enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds serving with the Suffolk Regiment (formerly 2637) before transferring to the East Yorkshire Regiment (formerly 33193), which in November 1915 formed part of 64th Brigade, 21st Division.
On 21 March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive. Operation Michael was a vast attack along the whole Somme sector front with the aim to destroy the British Army. The Germans advanced quickly and deeply with heavy losses for the Allies during March and April 1918. Percy’s battalion saw action during the Battle of the Lys (9 - 29 April 1918) when the Germans attempted to cut off the British Second Army at Ypres at the Second Battle of Kemmel (25 - 26 April).
Percy died on 25 April 1918. There is no known grave and he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, near Ypres, Belgium. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal
A Cross of Remembrance was laid at the Tyne Cot Memorial in April 2006 and April 2009.
Oliver Percy Ratcliffe, who is also remembered on the Sudbury War Memorial, was Percy’s cousin (their fathers were brothers).
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