Nancarrow, Percy

Lance-Corporal Percy Nancarrow who was attached to the Bedfordshire Regiment met his death in action on 12th February, 1917, after having been in France only three months. After a brilliant course at the High School, Southend-on-Sea, Nancarrow matriculated and took his Inter. B.A. from that school. In 1912 he entered King's College, subsequently graduating with first class honours in English and gaining the University of London Teachers Diploma. Leaving King's Nancarrow went back to Southend and took the post of Senior English Master in his old school. When the military medical standards were reduced in February, 1916, Nancarrow entered the army at once and met his death just a year later. He was a man who, though known to perhaps but a small circle of friends was one whom to know was to admire. Speaking from personal acquaintance with him when at school, one can perfectly endorse what a local newspaper says concerning him - "he was held in great respect by the boys of the High School for his earnestness, thoroughness and scholarly attainments. ....... He seemed destined to a highly successful academic career." A personal friend writes of him in the warmest terms: "He was one of the most modest and unassuming of scholars, a youth whom I have learned not only to admire and respect because of his abilities but to love for the simplicity and charm of his character. He was one of the most lovable young men, and a son of whom any parent might be justly proud. He has lived a glorious life and has died a glorious death. His one prayer was to live the clean, straight life and to do his duty." What better epitaph could a man desire - and Nancarrow earned it well. King's College Review, June 1917

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