| Birth | 1889, Froyle, Hants | |
| Parents | Son of Alice Yalden, of Lower Froyle, Alton, Hants, and the late James Yalden | |
| Residence | Froyle, Hants | |
| Occupation | ||
| Enlisted | St Albans | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment | |
| Regimental No: | 4/7141 | |
| Rank | Private | |
| Service Record | ||
| Death | 27th July 1916, Killed in action, aged 27 | |
| Theatre of War | France & Flanders | |
| Commemoration | The Thiepval Memorial | |
| Medals | Victory Medal, British War Medal | |
| Percy Yalden was born in Froyle around 1889. We may not know his exact birth, but we do know that he was baptised on 15th November 1891 in St Mary’s Church. He was the son of James and Alice Yalden, who, at the time of the 1911 Census, were living at Froyle Mill, 62 year old James being a corn miller. Percy enlisted in St Albans on 3rd December 1914 with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, as 4/7141 Private Yalden. He was killed in action in France on 27th July 1916, aged 27 years, most probably during the Battle of the Somme at Longueval. In this battle, later known by those present for it’s unparalleled barrage (labelled the Longueval Barrage), the Bedfordshires and Norfolks captured the heavily defended village which had already seen weeks of costly fighting. Percy was among the battalion’s long casualty list from the day’s fighting. During the whole battle, which raged from 11.15pm on 26th July until 6.00am on 28th July, 9 Officers and 303 Other Ranks lost their lives out of a total of 23 Officers and 807 Ordinary Ranks. Froyle Parish Magazine reported the sad news in its October 1916 issue: |
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| Private Percy Yalden was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 2C. |
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