Also Served: Percy Pownall - Percy POWNALL
9 St Helens Road, Prescot L/Cpl 201675, Royal Tank Corps Percy Pownall was a native of St Helens, being born there on 21st June 1886. In the 1891 census the family lived at Westfield Street, where 4 year old Percy was recorded as the son of Robert and Sarah Pownall. By 1901, Percy, now aged 14, was working as a Watch Repairer
By 1911, the family had moved to Lugsmore Lane in Thatto heath and Percy was now recorded as a Bicycle Maker. On 6th June 1912, he married Minnie Lowe at St Mary's Church, Prescot. They started their married life at 7, St Helens Road, Prescot, and Percy is recorded at this address on the 1914 Electoral Roll (below)
This undated picture of St Helens Road shows the Pownall shop
On 9th December 1915 in Prescot, Percy attested for military service. He put his address as 9 St Helens Road, Prescot and his occupation as "Cycle and Motor Dealer". He was immediately posted to the Army Reserve and wasn't called up until 17th October 1916, when he was posted to the Machine Gun Corps, which was a forerunner to the Royal Tank Regiment.
Initially assigned for Home Service, Percy was moved to Bovington, home of the Tank Regiment, on 13th March 1917, then on to France on 4th April 1917, where he was posted to the Salvage Company, whose role was to repair tanks which had either broken down or been damaged in battle.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1st September 1918 and returned to the UK a few days later where he was posted to the Home Establishment until his discharge on 26th February 1919.
Percy was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
After the war, Percy continued his Bicycle business. His entry in the 1924 Kelly's Directory is shown below.
He also branched out, as the 1939 National Register, shown below, recorded his as a Cycle and Radio Dealer, by now giving his address as 101 St Helens Road, Prescot
Percy died in Prescot on 15th March 1965 Prescot, aged 79
(Additional research by John Yates)
Ref. No.: A1682
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