Lance Sergeant Percy Honeybill 1917

Percy Honeybill with Sergeant's stripes - taken in 1917

 Thanks to Percy's grandson, Peter I am now able to share a photograph which was taken on him in his uniform. Please note the three white chevrons denoting his rank as Lance serrgeant.

Peter also sent me the copy of a page from a diary of the time in which someone, mostly likely Percy has written a summary of his military service from 1916 to the end of 1917. I am still deciphering the handwriting but what it tells us is

Joined up Dec 1st 1916

 

The second military service Act of May 1916 had extended conscription to married men so Percy will have had to leave his wife and three young daughters.

Reported Ashton Dec 2nd 1916

Sent to P?? Dec 11th 1916

I'm assuming that he will have spent much of 1917 in training and he also became an NCO gaining the rank of Lance Sergeant on 30th June 1917. 

On 13th Dec 1917 the notes indicate he transferred to KO (RLR) - King's Own Royal Lancaster regiment. I don't know which regiment he was with during 1917 as neither his notes nor his medal card tell us. Having been transferred his notes then say

reverted to unpaid LCpl (Lance Corporal) Dec 20 1917

An internet search has revealed that Lance appointments could be paid or unpaid and were under the control of the commanding officer (CO) and these appointments could be removed at will by the CO.  

 

Now it's back to the war diaries to find out where he might have been with the KO (RLR) during 1917 and 1918.