Percy was born on 28 November 1886 to James Magnall (GM021/149) and Alice Greenwood (GM022). Details of his birth certificate are shown below:

Registration District Burnley
1886 Birth in the Sub-District of Burnley in the County of Lancaster
No. When and where
born		 Name, if any Sex Name and Surname
of Father		 Name and Maiden Sur-
name of Mother		 Rank or Profession
of Father		 Signature, Description and
Residence of Informant		 When
registered		 Signature of
registrar		 Baptismal Name
if added after
Registration of Birth
462 Twenty
Eighth
November
1886
Back Lane
Habergham
Eaves
U.S.D.		 Percy Boy James
Magnall		 Alice
Magnall
formerly
Greenwood		 Grocer
(Master)		 X The mark
of
Alice Magnall
Mother
Back Lane
Habergham
Eaves		 Thirteenth
December
1886		 Robert
Munn
Registrar

Percy was christened at Holy Trinity Church in Habergham Eaves on 29 December 1886. The register shows that they were living at Back Lane and that his father was a grocer.

Percy is shown in the 1891 Census as being 4 years old and living with his family at 151 Cog Lane. His father was recorded as a “retired grocer”.

In the 1901 Census Percy was14 years old and living at 147 Cog Lane in Burnley where he was a Grocer’s assistant to his older brother, James Thomas.

Percy married Mary Ann Tattershall (EM191) on 2 August 1909 at St Andrew’s Church in Burnley. Percy was recorded as a “Grocer’s Assistant” living at 276 Cog Lane. Mary was a 27 year old weaver living at 9 Bracewell Street. Her father, Jacob, was also a weaver.

The 1911 Census records that Percy and Mary Ann had been married 1 year and were living at 13 Lindsay Street in Burnley. Percy was still a grocer’s assistant and Mary Ann was a draper.

A 1914 directory shows that Percy was living at 268 Cog Lane and was an Agent.

During the war Percy served in No.4 Depot Royal Garrison Artillery, his service number was 97863 and he reached the rank of Corporal. It looks like No 4 Depot Royal Garrison Artillery was at Ripon and trained gunners in the use of heavy and siege artillery though some records suggest they might have served at Great Yarmouth on coastal defence. He was discharged on 20 September 1919 and the discharge document records that he was suffering from V.D.H. or “valvular disease of the heart”, there is an excellent article about this on The Long, Long Trail website.

At the time of his death on 23 February 1920, his home is shown as 24, Williams Road, Burnley but the cemetery records show that it was 268 Cog Lane. According to Percy’s army record, he died of V.D.H. He is commemorated as a war casualty though I have no further information about him yet. Percy was buried on the 27 February 1920 in Burnley Cemetery in grave 1684. A local paper carried the following “In Memoriam”:

Magnall. – In every-loving memory of my dear husband, Percy, who died Feb. 23rd, 1920.
Love and remembrance last for ever.
From his loving Wife, 268, Cog-lane

Magnall. – In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother Percy, who died Feb. 23rd, 1920.
Deep in our hearts his memory we keep.
Mother, Sisters, and Brothers.

Probate reads:

MAGNALL Percy of 268 Cog-lane Burnley died 23 February 1920 Administration Lancaster 20 April to Mary Ann Magnall widow. Effects £183 3s.

[Last updated 03 Jan 2024]