Rank: Pioneer Regiment: 14th Signal Company Royal Engineers Died: 1954 Age: 57 Parish: Beer
Jack Perkins and colleagues at Raines Park in London on 16 October 1916
Jack Perkins was born in Beer in 1897, the son of James Perkins, a builder and decorator, and brother of Walter.
He took his oath of allegiance at Axminster on 26 November 1915, and joined the Royal Engineers on 13 June 1916, when he gave his home address as Colebrooke House, Beer, and his occupation as Post Office clerk. His next of kin was recorded as his father.
Jack was sent to France on 27 October 1916. He had to wait just over a year to get his first leave in the UK, as he was given a fortnight from 29 November 1917. His next home leave was to come another year later, in October 1918. He returned to his unit in France on 5 November that year, just before the Armistice.
He was discharged from the army at Crystal Palace in south London on 5 August 1919. On his discharge form the ‘Theatre of war or Command’ was given as ‘Rhine’, so he was obviously serving as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany when he was demobilised.
Jack also served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. He is pictured in his RAF uniform here. He died in 1954, aged 57.
* Required fields