Percy Henry (Mick) Hirons

This story and photos are shared by the Trust courtesy of Janet Arthurton. Additional information from Warwick Memorial website

Remembering Percy Henry (Mick) Hirons. He was born in Longbridge, near Warwick, Warwickshire in 1917. His parents were Albert (1889-1931) and Annie Maria Hirons née Gardner (1880-1963) of Longbridge Warwickshire. His parents married in 1909 in Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire. Percy had four siblings – Albert William (1909-1999), James (Jim 1911-1950), Elizabeth Lucy (1912-1996) and Annie F (1914-2004).

By the time of the 1921 census Mick, aged 3 years and 8 months, was living with his parents and four siblings at 25 West End, Sherbourne, Warwick. His father, Albert was a farm labourer working for John Callwood at Sherbourne Farm.

Mick was schooled in Sherbourne School near Warwick, Warwickshire, and confirmed at All Saints Church at Sherbourne. In the 1939 Register he is recorded as living with his mother, Annie, at 69 Red House Cottages, Longbridge and he was occupied in kitchen gardening.

He was originally in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment when he joined the army in 1940 but was subsequently transferred to the Wiltshire Regiment. He is listed on the War Memorial at Warwick and his details are recorded on the Warwick War Memorial website. He is buried at Bayeux.

Mick is mentioned in both the Warwick Advertiser, 15th September 1944, and the Wiltshire Times & Trowbridge Advertiser, dated 24th March 1945.

I knew nothing of this man until casually, one day, my mother mentioned his name as a former boyfriend. Taken aback, I am sad to say I didn't ask any questions. Years after my mum died, but with the coming of the internet, I found him listed on the Commonwealth War Grave website and from there found out a few details about him, but sadly, I could not find any local family connection.

Now remembered with thanks.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

If you are related to Percy Hirons do get in touch as we would love to help Janet find out more about him and also add to his story