Corporal Percy Alexander Arnold
644405
Born: London, England 1895
Lived in Midland, ON
Killed in Action at Avion in the raid on the Fosse 43 Trench system – July 23, 1917
In the late 1800s and throughout the turn of the century, societal upheaval and rampant poverty in the UK resulted in children either being given up by their parents or taken from them and sent to live with families far from their homes. Today, while many deem this as cruel treatment of children, at the time many saw it as an opportunity to save the children from their harsh circumstances, often living in squalor or in orphanages and be given a chance for a better life. They were called British Home Children. Children, as young as the 8 yr old Percy Arnold, were separated from their families, placed on ships and sent overseas to live with families in either Canada or Australia. A bed, some clothing, food, education and a religious upbringing was provided in exchange for working as a servant or farm hand…a tough start indeed for young Percy.
Percy was sent to Canada with Dr. Bernardo’s Homes in 1904 and sent to live with a family in Midland, Ontario. One cannot see a wider difference than to be taken from the streets of London at the turn of the century and moved to a sleepy town nestled on the edge of a place called the Haliburton Highlands. While details of his youth are not known, his transition seemed to be rather successful with him educating himself enough to become an electrician, settle down and getting married by the summer of 1915.
With the war in France raging, on February 1, 1916, Percy enlisted in the Barrie-based 157th Simcoe Foresters. Their battalion was the one that constructed the still-used Borden Canadian Forces Base. After training and transport to England in October of 1916, Percy was appointed as Sergeant and later transferred to the 116th (Dec 8th). With this development and his responsibility for leading men within a new battalion he also received news that he had another new responsibility at home. A son, Clifford Arnold, was born to Mary Ann Meadows on Dec 17, 1916.
Percy’s time with the 116th saw him first deployed to France to participate in Canada’s storied victory at Vimy Ridge. The next action, however, was the raid on the Fosse German trench system near Avion. This represented the nadir of his time at the front and ended tragically for the young man. While leading his men in the raid, the now Corporal Percy Arnold fell in battle, his remains never recovered. His name is now engraved on the war memorial at Vimy Ridge. The tragedy of Corporal Percy Alexander was one shared with 514 of Dr. Barnado’s children who also found their names of the roll of honour. It was also shared with a son who grew up never having the opportunity to meet his old man.
Lest we forget.