A Silver Lining?
Major Percy William Silver Kent Cyclists Battalion, 2/89 Punjabi Regiment & Home Guard
The Man Percy William Silver was born at 37 Forge Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, on 28th August 1891, Son of Charles Frank, a Gilder and picture framer, and Elizabeth Emma Silver nee Eddowes. He was one of five children, Elizabeth A, born in 1879, Edith M 1881, Charles H 1884 and Herbert John 1895. It is likely that Percy went to the same school as his Brother Herbert; Miss Lovell’s in Prospect Road, Southborough, when he was aged between 5 and 7 years old, and at a cost of one shilling a week, followed by primary school, St. Peter’s on The Common. After leaving here in 1905 and aged 14, Percy got his first job, as a Grocer where he spent the next three years. On 7th April 1907 he joined the Southborough Company, 1st Battalion, Rochester Regiment Church Lad’s Brigade, rising to the rank of Corporal and in 1908 got another job working as a Clerk for a Merchant’s Shop in Tunbridge, moving 12 months later to F Garrick of 126 London Road, Southborough again as a Clerk. By the time of the 1911 census, Percy was living with his Father, Charles and Herbert at 28 Forge Road, as Percy’s mother had sadly passed away aged only 55 on 14th October 1908 and Elizabeth and Edith had moved away. On June 14th 1912 Percy was discharged from the Church Lads Brigade, his service described as ‘Very Good’ and on 8th July aged 21, although his service records show him as 19, enlisted at Tunbridge Wells into the Kent Cyclist Battalion of the Territorial Force as Cyclist with service number 712. He was described as 5’.4” tall with a 32½” chest and a range of expansion of 2”. His vision and physical development were very good and he completed his initial training between 13th - 27th September 1913 being posted to Broadstairs in Kent on 26th July 1914. On 5th August 1914, one day after the outbreak of the First World War Percy was embodied and on 8th September signed Army Form E 624 agreeing to serve in any place outside of the United Kingdom in the event of National Emergency in line with Section XIII (2) (a) of the Territorial Reserve Forces Act 1907.
The Kent Cyclist Battalion was Headquartered at the Drill Hall in Tunbridge, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Canterbury and in 1915 was attached to the 57th Division for duties with the Kent and Sussex coastal defences. On 2 December 1915 it moved to Chisledon Camp and reorganised as an infantry battalion. From this time on the unit did not use the word "Cyclist" in its title and Percy became part of the 1/1st Kent Battalion. Seeking promotion, Percy took his qualifying examinations and was appointed as paid Lance Corporal on 28th November 1914 followed by Corporal on 7th September 1915, qualifying at the 5th Bombing Course in Chiseldon in 1916. Together with 2/6th (Cyclist) Bn Royal Sussex Regiment , 1/9th (Cyclist) Bn Hampshire Regiment and 1/25th (Cyclist) Bn London Regiment, the 1/1st Battalion formed a brigade originally intended for service in East Africa. There was a change of mind however, and the battalion sailed for India on 8 February 1916, coming under the command of Southern Brigade, 9th (Secunderabad) Division moving in December 1916 to Ferozepore Brigade in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area, for which Percy was awarded a £15.00 bounty, and in February 1917 the Brigade transferred to the 16th Indian Division, 1/1st Battalion, D Company No 16 Platoon. Percy appointed paid Lance Sergeant on 2nd March 1917 and Acting (paid) Sergeant on 26th May 1917 and his service number changed to 265137. Percy was a keen cricketer and on 25th September 1916 in an inter platoon match in Bangalore he took six wickets for six runs. On 29th October 1917 he was appointed as his Company’s representative for cricket at a meeting to re-organise the Battalions sports clubs before the Battalion moved from Dalhousie to the plains. Percy was singled out for Commissioning into the Indian Army and on 7th June 1918 was discharged from the Territorial Force with a total service of 5 years and 335 days, the reason given was ‘Of being appointed to a Temporary Commission in the Indian Army’. The same day he was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, 89th Punjab Infantry that had been formed at Ferozepore on 5th June 1917 and attached to the 1st Battalion 145th Alwar (Jai Paltan) Infantry, a newly formed and very temporary unit. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 7th June 1919. Serving in India, on the Afghanistan North West Frontier between 6th May – 18th August 1919 in the Third Afghanistan War, followed by Iraq (Mesopotamia) between 10th December 1919 – 17th November 1920, during the suppression of the Iraqi revolt against the British. For his services he was awarded the 1914-1918 British War, Victory, Territorial Force War, India General Service Medals with clasp ‘Afghanistan N.W.F 1919’ and the General Service Medal with clasp ‘Iraq’. Percy reluctantly relinquished his Commission on 19th April 1922 retaining the rank of Lieutenant and returning to the new family address of 9 South Grove, Tunbridge Wells.
He got a job as a Commercial Traveller and, having met her shortly after his discharge, married Hilda Winifred Sewell on 31st March 1928, at Holy Trinity Church, Tunbridge Wells. They were married by Barclay Buxton and their two witnesses were Percy's Father Charles and Hilda's Mother, Susannah Clara Sewell, they lived at 5A Stone Street, Faversham and never had any children. At the outbreak of World War II Percy enlisted into the No 3 Platoon B Company 9th Battalion Kent Home Guard as a Lieutenant serving throughout the war, promoted to Major and Company Commander. Percy and Winnie also opened up their home during to allow workers and displaced people to lodge with them during the early part of the war, and Winnie was awarded a certificate of thanks by Her Majesty the Queen and Percy the Defence Medal. In later life he became a dog lover, owning several and maintaining an interest in sport and gardening. Percy passed away on 9th June 1966 of Uraemia and Carcinomatosis aged 74 at the Cottage Hospital in Faversham, Kent leaving £540.00 to his widow Hilda who lived another 32 years before passing away on 4th February 1998. Percy was cremated at Charing Crematorium in Kent.
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The Story The set of medals awarded to Lieutenant Percy William Silver were acquired from a dealer at Aldershot Medal Fair on 16th January 1994. They were the 1914-1918 British War and Victory Medals engraved 2nd Lieutenant P W Silver, the Territorial Force War Medal named 712 A/Sgt P W Silver, Kent Cyclist Battalion, General Service Medal with ‘Iraq’ clasp named Lieutenant P W Silver and the India General Service Medal with ‘Afghanistan North West Frontier 1919’ clasp, 2nd Lieutenant P W Silver 2/89 Punjabi Regiment. They came with no research and for the next 14 years sat in a collection arousing little interest and very nearly being sold on a number of occasions. In April 2008 the medals were reviewed following a display of Territorial groups at the Birmingham Medal Society on 6th March and it was decided to see if any information could be obtained on P W Silver. The London Gazette revealed very little as it appeared that Silver had received a Temporary Commission towards the end of World War 1 in India. A medal index card was located from The National Archives (TNA) web site which revealed the full name of the recipient and the fact he had been awarded the General Service Medal with Iraq clasp. Coincidentally a visit to London had been planned a few weeks later and whilst there a second medal index card was found in TNA. A speculative search was made for Percy’s officer’s records but nothing could be found and it was advised as he was in the Indian Army they may be held at the British Museum. The clerk did say it might be possible that as Percy was a pre-war Territorial who had served in the Cyclist Corps his attestation papers may still be held. Using the information from the second MiC the relevant microfiche was located and a comprehensive selection of his World War 1 records did still exist, these included his attestation, record of service and discharge papers Percy having been appointed to a Temporary Commission in the Indian Army. From the records it was then possible to build up a basic picture of his life from his birth in 1893 until he left the Army in 1922 aged 29. A visit to ancestry.com in March 2013, revealed Percy’s records in a much clearer format than those initially obtained from TNA, and coupled with census, birth, marriage and death details have helped expand his biography even further.
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In January 2014 contact was made via this web site by the niece of Percy, Rita Scales! A visit was arranged to see her in Southborough, Tonbridge Wells and as a result much further detail was added to Percy's biography, and of course the much sought after pictures of Percy were acquired, putting another face to 'The Man Behind his Medals' some 20 years after their acquisition and another example of a full life and service to ones community and country. It was also
discovered that Percy had served in the Home Guard during World War II, and with
Rita’s help confirmation was gained from the MoD Medal Office that Percy was
also entitled to the Defence Medal to add to his group.
Click here to read about the Afghanistan North West Frontier Campaign
Cyclists Battalions Territorial Force
Battalions of the Territorial Force
When the TF was created in April 1908, three of these four Cyclist Battalions were established. The fourth was not created until 1913, as explained below. They are listed here collectively, but were independent units. In addition to these, certain infantry regiments also created TF cyclist battalions and all of these were in addition to the Army Cyclist Corps. Northern Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall on Hutton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Morpeth. By 1916 it had moved to nearby Alnwick where it remained as part of the Tyne Garrison. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Skegness and in June 1918 was at Burton Constable as part of the Humber Garrison. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916 and its men posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st, with some going to the Machine Gun Corps. Highland Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: August 1914 : in Kirkcaldy. Remained in Scotland until moving to Ireland in May 1918, where it then remained. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in Kirkcaldy in November 1914 as a second line battalion. Remained in Scotland until moving to Ireland in May 1918, where it then remained. In July 1915, it formed the 1st Provisional Cyclist Company. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in Kirkcaldy in 1915 as a dept/training unit. Remained in UK until disbanded in March 1916; the troops were posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st Bns and some to the Machine Gun Corps. Kent Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall in Tonbridge, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Canterbury. In 1915 it was attached to the 2nd North Midland Division TF for duties with the Kent and Sussex coastal defences. Moved on 2 December 1915 to Chisledon Camp and reorganised as an infantry battalion. From this time on the unit did not use the word "Cyclist" in its title. Together with 2/6th (Cyclist) Bn Royal Sussex Regiment , 1/9th (Cyclist) Bn Hampshire Regiment and 1/25th (Cyclist) Bn London Regiment, they formed a brigade originally intended for service in East Africa. There was a change of mind, however, and the battalion sailed for India on 8 February 1916. On arrival came under command of Southern Brigade, 9th (Secunderabad) Division. Moved in December 1916 to Ferozepore Brigade in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area. In February 1917 the Brigade transferred to the 16th Indian Division. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Canterbury and in March 1917 at Ramsgate. By August 1918 it had moved to Lydd. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in 1916. Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: The TF, when established in 1908, was envisaged as being the army that would provide home defence while the regular army went off to war. At that time, the old Huntingdonshire Volunteer Battalion was converted into two Companies of the new 5th TF Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. Many people were dissatisfied that Huntingdonshire no longer had its own recognisable regiment and after long discussions War Office approval was granted in March 1913 to raise a “wheeled” battalion, but it was not until February 1914 that the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion was formed and began to recruit. After it was established, men of the two local Companies of the Bedfordshire Regiment were allowed to transfer into the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion, and most did so. The battalion was headquartered in St Mary’s Street in Huntingdon, and had local drill stations at St. Ives, Somersham, St. Neots, Kimbolton, Ramsey, Warboys, Fletton and Yaxley. It was attached to Eastern Command for use as mobile infantry, and for work on signals, scouting and similar activities. The battalion remained in England throughout the war. It moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Grimsby. In 1916 it went on to Scarborough and by June 1918 to Whitby. In late July 1916 a party of more than six hundred men that left by train from Scarborough. They travelled to Southampton and embarked the SS “Alexandria”, arriving at Le Havre. Here their first two nights were spent in a camp where they were officially posted to the 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment before they were moved by train to join their new unit on the Somme. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in October 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Sutton-le-Marsh in Lincolnshire and by March 1917 at nearby Alford. By July of that year it had moved to Chapel St Leonards and by May 1918 was at Skegness. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916, the men were posted to 1/1st and 2/1st Battalions and to the Machine Gun Corps.
When the TF was created in April 1908, three of these four Cyclist Battalions were established. The fourth was not created until 1913, as explained below. They are listed here collectively, but were independent units. In addition to these, certain infantry regiments also created TF cyclist battalions and all of these were in addition to the Army Cyclist Corps. Northern Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall on Hutton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Morpeth. By 1916 it had moved to nearby Alnwick where it remained as part of the Tyne Garrison. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Skegness and in June 1918 was at Burton Constable as part of the Humber Garrison. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916 and its men posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st, with some going to the Machine Gun Corps. Highland Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: August 1914 : in Kirkcaldy. Remained in Scotland until moving to Ireland in May 1918, where it then remained. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in Kirkcaldy in November 1914 as a second line battalion. Remained in Scotland until moving to Ireland in May 1918, where it then remained. In July 1915, it formed the 1st Provisional Cyclist Company. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in Kirkcaldy in 1915 as a dept/training unit. Remained in UK until disbanded in March 1916; the troops were posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st Bns and some to the Machine Gun Corps. Kent Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall in Tonbridge, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Canterbury. In 1915 it was attached to the 2nd North Midland Division TF for duties with the Kent and Sussex coastal defences. Moved on 2 December 1915 to Chisledon Camp and reorganised as an infantry battalion. From this time on the unit did not use the word "Cyclist" in its title. Together with 2/6th (Cyclist) Bn Royal Sussex Regiment , 1/9th (Cyclist) Bn Hampshire Regiment and 1/25th (Cyclist) Bn London Regiment, they formed a brigade originally intended for service in East Africa. There was a change of mind, however, and the battalion sailed for India on 8 February 1916. On arrival came under command of Southern Brigade, 9th (Secunderabad) Division. Moved in December 1916 to Ferozepore Brigade in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area. In February 1917 the Brigade transferred to the 16th Indian Division. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Canterbury and in March 1917 at Ramsgate. By August 1918 it had moved to Lydd. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in 1916. Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: The TF, when established in 1908, was envisaged as being the army that would provide home defence while the regular army went off to war. At that time, the old Huntingdonshire Volunteer Battalion was converted into two Companies of the new 5th TF Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. Many people were dissatisfied that Huntingdonshire no longer had its own recognisable regiment and after long discussions War Office approval was granted in March 1913 to raise a “wheeled” battalion, but it was not until February 1914 that the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion was formed and began to recruit. After it was established, men of the two local Companies of the Bedfordshire Regiment were allowed to transfer into the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion, and most did so. The battalion was headquartered in St Mary’s Street in Huntingdon, and had local drill stations at St. Ives, Somersham, St. Neots, Kimbolton, Ramsey, Warboys, Fletton and Yaxley. It was attached to Eastern Command for use as mobile infantry, and for work on signals, scouting and similar activities. The battalion remained in England throughout the war. It moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Grimsby. In 1916 it went on to Scarborough and by June 1918 to Whitby. In late July 1916 a party of more than six hundred men that left by train from Scarborough. They travelled to Southampton and embarked the SS “Alexandria”, arriving at Le Havre. Here their first two nights were spent in a camp where they were officially posted to the 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment before they were moved by train to join their new unit on the Somme. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in October 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Sutton-le-Marsh in Lincolnshire and by March 1917 at nearby Alford. By July of that year it had moved to Chapel St Leonards and by May 1918 was at Skegness. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916, the men were posted to 1/1st and 2/1st Battalions and to the Machine Gun Corps.
The 89th Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the
British Indian Army raised in 1798 as a battalion of Madras Native Infantry. It
was designated as the 89th Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 8th Punjab
Regiment in 1922. In 1947, it was allocated to Pakistan Army, where it
continues to exist as 1st Battalion of The Baloch Regiment. The regiment was raised on 9 November 1798 at
Masulipatam as the 3rd Extra Battalion of Madras Native Infantry by Captain
Alexander MacLeod and was known as MacLeod ki Paltan (MacLeod’s Battalion). In
1800, it was designated as the 1st Battalion 15th Regiment, and in 1824, as the
29th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry. The battalion was composed mostly of
Muslims, Tamils and Telugus of South India. In 1818, it was dispatched to
Ceylon to suppress a rebellion of the Sinhalese. In 1832, it was stationed at
Malacca, Malaya, when it was again engaged in suppressing a revolt in the State
of Naning. The regiment served in Burma during the Third Burma War of 1885-87.
In 1893, it was reconstituted with Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs, Rajputs &
Brahmins, and permanently based in Burma. Its new designation was 29th Regiment
(7th Burma Battalion) of Madras Infantry. In 1901, its title was changed to
29th Burma Infantry. The Burma Battalions were special units raised to police
the new territories acquired in the Third Anglo-Burmese War and pacify the
rebellious hill tribes inhabiting the frontier regions of Burma. Subsequent to the reforms brought about in
the Indian Army by Lord Kitchener in 1903, all former Madras units had 60 added
to their numbers. Consequently, the regiment's designation was changed to 89th
Punjabis. In 1910, the Burma Battalions were delocalized from Burma and in
1914, the regiment moved to Dinapore in India, just before the outbreak of
First World War. The 89th Punjabis have
a most distinguished record of service during the First World War. They have
the unique distinction of serving in more theatres of war than any other unit
of the British Empire. These include: Aden
(Yemen), where they carried out the first opposed sea-borne assault landing
in modern warfare, when they landed at Sheikh Sa’id Peninsula on 10 November
1914. Egypt, where they defended Suez Canal against the Turkish attack in
February 1915. Gallipoli, where they fought in the Second Battle of Krithia in May
1915. France, where they endured the horrors of
trench warfare from May to December 1915.
Mesopotamia, where the
regiment fought with great distinction and was almost decimated in the bloody
battles for the Relief of Kut al Amara on the Tigris Front in 1916. North West Frontier of India, where they
served on the Mohmand Blockade in 1917, while recuperating from the casualties
suffered in Mesopotamia. Salonika (Greece), where they arrived
in 1918 but were not actively engaged. Russian Transcaucasia, where they
served from 1918-20 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. The regiment finally arrived home in August
1920 after six long years of active service. During the war, it suffered 1018
casualties including 211 killed. Their long list of honours and awards includes
the Victoria Cross awarded to Naik Shahmed Khan in 1916. The regiment raised a second battalion on 5
June 1917. The 2nd Battalion 89th
Punjabis or 2/89th Punjabis served in the Third Afghan War of 1919 and took
part in suppressing the Iraqi revolt against the British in 1920. After the First World War, the two battalions
of 89th Punjabis were grouped with four other Burma Battalions (90th, 91st,
92nd Punjabis and 93rd Burma Infantry) to form the 8th Punjab Regiment in 1922.
The 1/89th Punjabis became the 1st Battalion and the 2/89th Punjabis the 10th
(Training) Battalion of the new regiment. During the Second World War, 1/8th
Punjab fought with great gallantry in the Malayan Campaign and again suffered
heavy losses. In 1943, the 10th Battalion became the 8th Punjab Regimental
Centre. In 1947, the 8th Punjab Regiment was allocated to Pakistan Army. In
1956, it was merged with the Baluch Regiment and 1/8th Punjab was redesignated
as 1 Baluch (now 1 Baloch). During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the battalion
again distinguished itself at Lahore and Sulemanki, while during the
Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 it was deployed in Shakargarh Sector. Since then, it
has served in the Siachen Conflict during 1990-91 and in Liberia as United
Nations Peacekeepers in 2004.
Private Herbert John Silver Royal West Kent Regiment
Herbert John Silver, Percy's Brother & Rita Scales' Father, or 'Punch' as he was affectionately known, was born in October 1894, youngest son of Henry and Elizabeth. He attended Miss Lovell’s School in Prospect Road and later St. Peter’s School on the Common. Bert left school at the age of 14 and his first job was as a house painter at Holden House. Following the outbreak of World War I Bert joined up and was posted to India with the Royal West Kent Regiment service number 200262 and serving as a Signalman. He was demobbed in 1919 and awarded the 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals. Back home he returned to house painting for John Jarvis and joined the Southborough Working Men’s Club.
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During the 1920s he became renowned for his keenness on sport - football, cricket and rifle shooting, winning many medals. He married Emily Jane Unstead in March 1934 at Speldhurst Church and they had one daughter, Rita. During World War II Bert worked in Oxford in a factory making war munitions and served in the local Home Guard. He continued work into his 70s, cycling to and from his home in Speldurst, and enjoyed working in his large garden as well as maintaining his interest in sport.
Bert and Emy moved to a flat in Kirby Court Langton in their 80s and Bert died in 1985 aged almost 91 years old, and Emy in September 1988 aged 97.
Bert and Emy moved to a flat in Kirby Court Langton in their 80s and Bert died in 1985 aged almost 91 years old, and Emy in September 1988 aged 97.
Rita and Fred Scales with their Uncle's Medals. Thursday 24th April 2014
Medal Details:
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 2.LIEUT P.W.SILVER.
- Victory Medal: M2-104839 2.LIEUT P.W.SILVER
- Territorial Force War Medal: 712. A.SJT. P.W.SILVER. KENT CYC BN
- General Service Medal: 2 LIEUT. P.W.SILVER . 2/89 PJBS
- India General Service Medal: LIEUT P.W.SILVER
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as issued.
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This page last updated 6 May 18