Private Percy Searson Mawby

The 1901 census shows Percy Mawby living in High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, with David Mawby, his wife Sarah, and their children, Edith Amy, and David Sarson. Percy’s place of birth is given as Kibworth and he is shown as a boarder.

He served in the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, service number S/19556.

Private Mawby was 19 years of age when he died on 24th May 1918.

He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, and is buried at Pernes British Cemetery, Pernes-en-Artois, Pas de Calais, France, plot reference II. C. 13.

Obituary from the Market Harborough Advertiser, 11th June 1918

Two more Kibworthians have given their lives for their King and Country in the persons of Pte. P. S. Mawby and Pte. Arthur Warner. This makes 25 of Kibworth’s sons who have made the great sacrifice.

Pte. Percy Searson Mawby, who was the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. David Mawby, of High Street, Kibworth, died on May 24 in a French hospital from gas poisoning. He was only 19 years of age and single, and was home on leave three weeks before he was killed. He joined up in the London Scottish, and was subsequently transferred to the Gordon Highlanders. Deceased, who was a general favourite at Kibworth was an old Kibworth Grammar School boy. At one time he was organ blower and later became a member of the Parish Church Choir. Much sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. Mawby.

The Rector of Kibworth (Rev. E.S.B. Fletcher) made a touching allusion to the deaths of the two gallant boys at the evening service at the Parish Church.