Private Percival (Percy) Burton Shields

14999
9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
Died 22nd August 1915 , Age 30

Cemetery : Helles Memorial, Gallipoli
Grave Reference or Panel Number : 47 to 51

Son of Mr & Mrs J. Shields of Harome, York.

Percival Burton Shields was born at Harome, near Helmsley in 1887 to parents Job, an Agricultural Labourer and Esther Shields.
Little is known of Percy's early years other than in the 1901 Census he is recorded as being hospitalised either due to sickness or injury at York County Hospital, Monkgate, occupation being recorded as an Agricultural Labourer aged 13 years.

At some stage during his teenage years, Percy must have aquired a knowledge of machinery or mechanics, possibly via the use of agricultural machinery. This would later witness him finding employment with Mr. Rowland Meyrick, Land Agent to the Montague Estates as his chaffeur, the 1911 Census recording that he was residing in one of two rooms located over the Stable at Hall Orchards, Wetherby.

Recruitment & Attestation

Percy attested for service at Wetherby Town Hall on or about the 31st August 1914 no doubt actively encouraged by his employer. The terms of enlistment were a Short Service obligation i.e. three years with the Colours however it was stated that if the War lasted longer than three years, the recruit would be retained until the cessation of hostilities.
As the men waited to enlist, Army protocol declared had the prospective recruit received Notice and understood its meaning and who gave the Notice to them. On confirmation by the potential recruit, Army Form B. 2065 was first signed by Rowland Meyrick, the issuer of the Notice before recruitment could commence. The latter had proved to be very brisk, principally due to the efforts of a number of individuals, but it was Mr. Rowland Meyrick, Percy's employer, that was the major protagonist encouraging many a young Wetherby man or resident of the town to "take the King's shilling."
A newspaper article dated September 1914 provides an insight as to his activities as an unpaid Recruitment Officer:

"Day and night he worked with the greatest enthusiasm and wherever young men were, in the cottage, in the harvest field and street, there he was to be found, exercising his persuasive powers and the young men answered nobly to his call.

Some men at first however, had their reservations on joining the Colours;

One young fellow, anxious to enlist, was troubled about throwing up his work and he went to Mr. Meyrick. Would he guarantee him work when he returned home? The answer was thoroughly satisfactory, and the young fellow is probably now clad in khaki. That is the way to get recruits."