050 of 876 2092 Pte Kitchen 1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment Died 18th May 1915 aged 19

Son of James and Harriet Kitchen of 25 Leverington Road Wisbech

Percy died of shrapnel wounds of the legs and buttocks and septicaemia at Salford Union Infirmary Pendleton

Pte Percy Kitchen is remembered with honour at Wisbech General (Leverington Road) Cemetery and also had a alternative commemoration at Wisbech (Mount Pleasant) Cemetery

Transcript from Wisbech Standard

Death of Pte Kitchen

Succumbs to wounds in a Manchester Hospital

The sad tidings that Pte Percy Kitchen, of the C Company of the 1st Cambridgeshire Battalion, had died, from wounds reached Wisbech on Wednesday morning, and created a deep sense of regret, especially as many residents had only just witnessed the burial of Pte D Walker with military honours. Pte Kitchen was wounded very seriously on May 5th, by the same shell which carried of Lieut West and other comrades. Lieut West fell upon the poor boy Kitchen. Who asked him if he could get up, but the officer was too badly hurt to move himself. Capt Clayton quickly rendered assistance and removed Lieut West. Pte Kitchen was in a critical state from the first, and when he was eventually admitted to Hope Hospital Manchester, on May 11th, no hopes were entertained of his recovery. His mother and brother and sister were with him from Wednesday last week until he passed away on Tuesday. He had preserved a bullet which was taken from a wound in his arm in France, but this was not the worst he had suffered, for his frame was broken, and even if he had lived he would have been a helpless cripple. The unfortunate lad, though he suffered much pain, bore up with cheerful fortitude, and very warm sympathy was felt for him by those who so carefully and lovingly ministered to him. He had several short intervals when pain and weakness deprived him of consciousness but at other times he spoke of the incident. 

He died on May 13th and his body is being brought to Wisbech for internment.

 

Transcript from Wisbech Standard

 

Sunday Military Funeral at Wisbech

 

Full Honours for Pte Kitchen

 

How poignantly Wisbech people have sorrowed over the loss of the  Cambs Territorial’s who have given their lives in their countries cause again found expression on Sunday, the occasion of the burial of the remains of Pte Percy Kitchen, who succumbed to wounds in Hope Hospital Manchester, on the previous Tuesday. The body reached home on Saturday, and from the time the sad news was known the neighbours demonstrated their sympathy by flying flags half-mast high. The unfortunate lad was greatly liked by all who knew him and his hard fate was only more felt by his family than by his friends. Full military honours were paid to his memory as the coffin was reverently conveyed from 25 Leverington Road to the adjacent cemetery and there lowered to its last resting place. A large number of people foregathered to witness the impressive ceremony and the deceased Regiment was represented by a firing party under Company Sergt Major J. T. Cole and another contingent under Lieut J. W. Ollard. The Rev H.W. Seaman Pastor of Ely Place Baptist Chapel conducted the service and during the first portion which was taken in the Chapel he made a considerate and gentle utterance which carried the mourners the general feeling of sympathy. Mr Seaman said he felt the fewer one sword on such an occasion the better. Their hearts were full of sorrow at the loss of that bright brave young life so soon cut off. All shared with sorrow with the family all sympathy to their great grief and yet their sorrow was tinged with pride. That eager young life had been laid upon the alter of service for his ‘King and Country’ he bravely responded to Britain’s call in her hour of need. That thought of his courage his devotion to duty and his noble endurance of suffering. Britain would little know how much she owed to the recent army of brave young men who readily answered the call and they trusted that err long that army will have broken that cruel and wicked tyranny which had cast its malignant shadow over the hearts and homes and liberties of Europe. Might the god of all comforts comfort their hearts with His sweet consolations and sustain them with His everlasting love. The scen at the graveside was most impressive. When the intonation of the last great prayer had died away, the deceased comrades who had stood with arms reversed fired three volleys and then two buglers played Last Post. Many of those present were in tears so affecting the scene. There were several floral tributes and one of those was sent by Lieuts K. and J. W. Ollard.

Keith Wainwright