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Robert Clement PERKS

Main CPGW Record

Surname: PERKS

Forename(s): Robert Clement

Place of Birth: Halifax, Yorkshire

Service No: ---

Rank: T/Captain

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion

Division: 23rd Division

Age: 23

Date of Death: 1918-10-27

Awards: D.S.O.

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Plot 5. Row A. Grave 5.

CWGC Cemetery: TEZZE BRITISH CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: HEBDEN, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: LINTON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Robert Clement Perks (born 2 January 1895) was the son of Thomas Probert and Alice Lydia Perks, née Hawkins. Thomas was born at Brecon, Brecknockshire and Alice at Ledbury, Herefordshire.

1901 Lytham, Lancashire Census: Lytham and Fairhaven College - Robert Perks, aged 6 years, born Halifax, Yorkshire.

1911 Halifax, Yorkshire Census: 26, Prescott Street - Robert Clement Perks, aged 16 years, born Halifax, son of Thomas Probert and Alice Lydia Perks.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Capt Robert Clement Perks, D.S.O., 10th Bn West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 26 August 1915. Correspondence: T.P. Perks Esq. (Father), The Green House, Hebden, Skipton.

Robert is commemorated on the Heath Grammar School War Memorial, Halifax and Merton College, University of Oxford War Memorial.

A short biography of Robert is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

PERKS, Captain Robert Clement, D.S.O., aged 30, 10th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mr. T.P. Perks, The Green House, Hebden, and of Leeds, killed in action, Italy, Oct. 27, 1918.

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T/Captain Robert Clement PERKS

T/Captain Robert Clement PERKS

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: PERKS

Forename(s): Robert Clement

Born:

Residence:

Enlisted:

Number:

Rank: T/Capt

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 10th Battalion

Decorations: D.S.O.

Died Date: 27/10/18

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War:

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: PERKS

Forename(s): Robert Clement

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number:

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 10th Bn.

Age: 23

Awards: D S O

Died Date: 27/10/1918

Additional Information: Son of Thomas Probert and Alice Lydia Perks, of Halifax, Yorkshire. Commoner of Merton College, Oxford.

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'The London Gazette' (26 September 1916)

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the appointments of the undermentioned Officers to be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the field:-

Temp. 2nd Lt. Robert Clement Perks, W. Rid. R.
For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When leading a bombing party, he was wounded in the face and rendered insensible. On recovering, he again took part in the attack. While throwing bombs he was again twice wounded, in the hand and foot, but continued to lead his men till rendered unconscious by a fourth wound in the face.

‘The Brecon County Times’ (28 November 1918)

(Kindly supplied by John Gardner, Hebden)

GLASBURY

Personal.–Captain Robert Clement Perks, D.S.O., was killed in action on Sunday, Oct. 27th, while leading his company against a machine gun on the first day of the attack on the Italian front. He was the second son of Mr T. P. Perks, of Leeds, barrister-at-law, residing at the Green House, Hebden, near Skipton. Capt. Perks was in his 24th year. He was educated at Heath Grammar School, Halifax, and Merton College, Oxford, where he was in his second year, when in Jan., 1915, he was given a temporary commission in the 10th (Service Battalion) Duke of Wellington’s Regt. He went to France in August of that year, and was three times wounded, in July, 1916, and June and September, 1917. In August, 1916, he won the D.S.O., and received promotion to 1st Lieut. He was afterwards mentioned in despatches. From June to Sept., 1917, he was acting captain. Being invalided home he was afterwards attached to the 3rd Batt. of the Duke’s at N. Shields. He, however, took steps to go again on active service, leaving England on Sept. 24th and joining his old battalion in Italy. He was at once promoted to the rank of captain. Capt Perks comes of a very old and highly respected Breconshire family, being the grandson of Mr Thomas Chander Perks, Bulwark House, Brecon, and great-grandson of Mr Clement Probert, of Gwernyfed, Glasbury, and nephew of Mrs Evan Powell, Park View, Three Cocks.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1919

PERKS Robert Clement of The Green House Hebden near Skipton Yorkshire died 27 October 1918 in Italy Administration London 9 December to Thomas Probert Perks barrister-at-law. Effects £348 2s. 6d.

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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Robert Clement Perks, on the left, and his brother, Martin Thomas Perks, c. 1913

Robert Clement Perks, on the left, and his brother, Martin Thomas Perks, c. 1913

Courtesy of Janet Hudson

Robert Clement Perks and his fiancée, Edith Waller

Robert Clement Perks and his fiancée, Edith Waller

Courtesy of Janet Hudson

Robert Clement Perks, relaxing at his home - The Green House, Hebden

Robert Clement Perks, relaxing at his home - The Green House, Hebden

Courtesy of Janet Hudson

The Officers of 69th Infantry Brigade, Bramshott, August, 1915. (From the collection of Captain Richard (Dick) Bolton)

The Officers of 69th Infantry Brigade, Bramshott, August, 1915. (From the collection of Captain Richard (Dick) Bolton)

2nd Lieutenant Robert Clement Perks, 4th row from back, standing 5th from right

Courtesy of Henry Bolton

The Officers, 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Bramshott, August, 1915. (From the collection of Captain Richard (Dick) Bolton)

The Officers, 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Bramshott, August, 1915. (From the collection of Captain Richard (Dick) Bolton)

Courtesy of Henry Bolton

Names of officers on above photograph

Names of officers on above photograph

The Officers and NCOs of 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), at Berthen, after the Battle of Messines, June, 1917. (From the collection of Captain Richard (Dick) Bolton)

The Officers and NCOs of 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), at Berthen, after the Battle of Messines, June, 1917. (From the collection of Captain Richard (Dick) Bolton)

Courtesy of Henry Bolton

Names of officers on above photograph

Names of officers on above photograph

Tezze British Cemetery

Tezze British Cemetery

CWGC Headstone

Courtesy of Dr. Bill Smith

Merton College, University of Oxford War Memorial

Merton College, University of Oxford War Memorial

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

22 January 1915

HEBDEN – A Commission

Among the cadets and ex-cadets of the Officer Training Corps who, in the London Gazette of the 19th inst., were gazetted as temporary Second-Lieutenants in Kitchener's Army, is the name of Mr. R. C. Perks, of Merton College, Oxford. He is the second son of Mr. T. P. Perks, barrister-at-law, who is now resident at Hebden. Mr. M.T. Perks, of Wadham College, Oxford, the elder son of Mr. Perks, is also a member of the O.T.C. He also qualified and applied for a commission, but was not successful on account of his eyesight.

06 October 1916

DISTINGUISHED ORDER FOR HEBDEN OFFICER

In a supplement to the ‘London Gazette’ of Tuesday September, 26th 1916, the list of awards for services in the field included the name of Temporary Second Lieutenant Robert C. Perks, West Riding Regiment, whose action is thus described:– When leading a bombing party, he was wounded in the face and rendered insensible. On recovering, he again took part in the attack. While throwing bombs he was again twice wounded in the hand and foot, but continued to lead his men till rendered unconscious by a fourth wound in the face.

Second-Lieut. Perks is the son of Mr. T. K. Perks, of the Green House, Hebden, and is 21 years of age. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order – Companions.

15 November 1918

Captain Perks, of Hebden

Captain Robert Clement Perks, D.S.O., was killed in action on Sunday, October 27th leading his company against a machine gun on the first day of the attack on the Italian Front. He was the second son of Mr. T.P. Perks, of Leeds, barrister-at-law, residing at The Green House, Hebden, near Skipton, and would have been 24 on January 2nd next. He was educated at Heath Grammar School, Halifax, and at Merton College, Oxford, where he was in his second year when, in January 1915, he was given a temporary commission in the 10th (Service Battalion) Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. He went out to France in August of that year with his battalion and was three times wounded, viz., in July 1916, June and September 1917.

While only a Second Lieutenant he was in August 1916 given the D.S.O. He was then promoted to Temporary Lieutenant, and was afterwards mentioned in despatches. In June of 1917 and until September of 1917 he was Acting Captain. After his third wound he was in England invalided for some time, and afterwards attached to the 3rd Battalion of ‘The Duke’s’ at North Shields. Feeling he was not doing his country much service there, he took steps to go again on active service. On September 24th he left England for the last time to rejoin his old battalion in Italy. He was then immediately promoted to be Temporary Captain, and in that capacity gave his life for his country as above stated. The sad news became known to his parents only on Saturday last. We tender them heartfelt sympathy.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS: CAPTAIN R. C. PERKS, D.S.O.

West Riding Regiment, of Hebden. Killed in action on October 27th, 1918, on the Italian Front.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

15 November 1918

Hebden Captain Killed

Captain Robert Clement Perks, D.S.O., was killed in action on Sunday, Oct. 27th, leading his company against a machine gun on the first day of the attack on the Italian front. He was the second son of Mr. T.P. Perks, of Leeds, barrister-at-law, residing at The Green House, Hebden, near Skipton, and would have been 24 years of age on Jan. 2nd. He was educated at Heath Grammar School, Halifax, and at Merton College, Oxford, where he was in his second year when in January, 1915, he given a temporary commission in the 10th (Service Battalion) Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. He went out to France in August of that year with his battalion and was three times wounded, viz., in July, 1916, June and September, 1917. While only a second lieutenant he was in August, 1916, given the D.S.O. He was then promoted to be temporary lieutenant, and was afterwards mentioned in despatches. In June of 1917 and until September of 1917 he was acting captain. After his third wound he was in England invalided for some time, and afterwards attached to the 3rd battalion of the ‘Duke’s’ at North Shields. Feeling that he was not doing his country much service there he took steps to go again on active service. On Sept. 24th he left England for the last time to rejoin his old battalion in Italy. He was then immediately promoted to be temporary captain, and in that capacity gave his life for his country as stated. The sad news became known to his parents only on Sunday last.

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