Percy Goodchild

214057D, Leading Seaman, Gunner 1st Class, HMS Defence. Royal Navy.

Killed In Action on the 31st May 1916 aged 29.

Percy was the son of S Goodchild of Beecroft Lane, Walkern. He was one of 6097 men who were killed during the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May 1916.

At 6.16 p.m. HMS Defense and HMS Warrior were observed passing down between the British and German Battle Fleets under a very heavy fire. HMS Defense was seen to blow up and HMS Warrior passed to the rear disabled. It is probable that Sir Robert Arbuthnot, during his engagement with the enemy's light cruisers and in his desire to complete their destruction, was not aware of the approach of the enemy's heavy ships, owing to the mist, until he found himself in close proximity to the main fleet, and before he could withdraw his ships they were caught under a heavy fire and disabled.

Percy has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. (Panel 11.)

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