Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Bancourt British Cemetery | III. K. 5. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.131 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 23A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Military Medal | ||
Family :
Son of Mr. J. Odell of 13, High St. Newport Pagnell Bucks. Ironmonger (1907). Educated Bedford Modern School (1895-96).See also: Roll of Honour.com
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 5/Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry |
5th (Service) Battalion Formed at Oxford in August 1914 as part of K1 and attached to 42nd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. 21 May 1915 : landed at Boulogne. 27 April 1918 : reduced to cadre strength. 16 June 1918 : transferred to 16th Division.and returned to England. 20 June 1918 : absorbed by 18th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment. |
| Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 |
The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.
Service No. 1825, 33035. Both of the Ox&Bucks LI.
Detail :
He was embarked to France landing on 30th March 1915.
There are different dates recorded across various sources so referring to the Probate record : ODELL Percy John of Blair House Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire corporal in H.M. Army died between 6 and 9 October 1916 in France on active service Probate London 1 February to John Odell and Reginald Thomas Odell ironmongers. Effects £701 0s. 1d. The date of death on this record is the latest possible date, i.e., 9th October. The date range is also recorded in the "Soldier's Effects".
See also: Buckinghamshire Remembers
For his service he was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Saint Peter and Saint Pauls' No. 1410 E.C. | Buckinghamshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
10th December 1907 | 11th February 1907 | 10th March 1907 |
The records in the contribution ledgers held at United Grand Lodge show his war service and "Killed Oct 16."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley