Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Percy Sidney Gatrell -

Isle of Wight Mercury and Ventnor Gazette, Friday, October 11, 1918 :

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Mrs. SIDNEY GATRELL, 19 Lowtherville Cottages, desires to thank all kind friends for letters of sympathy and other expressions of condolence shown to her in her sad trial.

VENTNOR MAN KILLED IN ACTION.- News has been received that Pte. Percy Gatrell, Upper Ventnor, son of Private and Mrs. Sidney Gatrell, has been killed in action. He was 20 years of age and before enlisting 2 years ago worked as a gardener at Winterbourne, Bonchurch. He was expected home on leave recently. His father is serving in France. Pte Gatrell served in Palestine and went from there to France in June last. His Chaplain writes that he was killed on Sept. 27th. The company had reached its objective, and Gatrell was going out to search a post when he was shot through the mouth, death being instantaneous. The writer adds, "in him we lose an old friend and a good and willing soldier." The family has received the sincere sympathy of local and other friends, and the Colonel of the deceased's regiment has sent a kind note of condolence, giving the place of his burial.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 18, 1918 Page 3

Ventnor District Council.
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When the Councillors had taken their seats, the Chairman said: Before we begin the business, gentlemen, I have to call your attention to the death of the son of Mr. Martin Draper, who was missing on the 22nd March and has since been reported as having died and been buried in the enemy's country. We have also heard with regret of the death of Lieut. Edward Clayton, son of the Rev. A.P. and Mrs. Clayton, who you will remember was reported wounded and in hospital in Germany and has since been reported as having died. I am sure we shall extend to them our very sincere sympathy in their great trouble. First in the terrible anxiety when their children were reported missing and then when the sad news was received that they were dead. I have further to ask you to record your sympathy with the relatives of Pte. Percy Gatrell, of Upper Ventnor, who was killed in action. He was 20 years of age and worked as a gardener at Winterbourne. We regret also to hear that Pte. Harold Smith, grandson of Mrs. Smith, Ocean View, has been killed in France, and I am sure we regret to hear that the brother of Mr. Russell, editor of the I.W. Mercury, has also paid the great sacrifice. At a time like this when the possibility of peace is before us, we feel more keenly how sad it is that the war should go on and that these daily losses should occur. But of course we are all desirous of ending the war to make a just and proper protection to all people in Europe and elsewhere and, therefore, however sad and however casual it may be to the nation, I am sure we shall all feel that for the sake of those who have paid the great sacrifice it is our duty to persevere and accomplish what we have set our hands to do. (Hear, hear).
A letter was read from Mrs. L. Benham thanking the Council for their sympathy in the loss of her husband.
(not all the report has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS

Saturday, September 27, 1919 Page 1

In Memoriam
GATRELL. - In sad and loving memory of our dear boy, Pte. Percy Sidney Gatrell, 1/5th Devons. Killed in action at Flesquieres, France, on Sept. 27th: 1918. - From his sorrowing Mam, Dad, brothers, and sisters.
This day brings back to memory
One who was called away
Just when life was sweetest
Just when hopes were brightest;
But it's only "Till the day break
And the shadows flee away."