LIEUTENANT COLONEL ARTHUR JEX BLAKE PERCIVAL
NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
31ST OCTOBER 1914 AGE 43
BURIED: YPRES TOWN CEMETERY EXTENSION, BELGIUM
At mid-day on the 31 October 1914 the Germans broke throught the lines at Gheluvelt and, had they taken advantage of the situation, could have broken the British Army in Flanders. The situation was made even worse when a German shell hit Hooge Chateau killing six senior staff officers and seriously wounding several others just as they were meeting to confront the emergency. Lt Colonel Percival was one of the staff officers killed. The situation was saved by the Worcestershire Regiment who, in an incredible action, drove the Germans back and managed to close the gap.
Arthur Percival's inscription is taken from the first line of the third verse of Sir John Arkwright's poem 'The Supreme Sacrifice'.
Splendid you passed, the great surrender made,
Into the light that never more shall fade;
Deep your contentment in that blest abode,
Who wait the last clear trumpet call of God.