Percy Andrew Ackroyd
Hospital Orderly, Sick Nursing and Convoy Duties, Member St. John's Ambulance Brigade
Percy Andrew Ackroyd was the older of two sons born to Daniel Ackroyd, a boot and shoe maker and Margaret Ackroyd nee Pearson, both of Keighley. He has two baptism records, one has his birth being 31st March 1897and his baptism on 21st April that year at St. Andrew's Church. A later, non-conformist baptism record from 26th January 1902 has his birth being 30th March 1897.
One of Percy's baptism records
The family boarded for many years with a lady called Emma Pearson at 11 Rook Street in Keighley, and can be seen living with her there on the 1901 and 1911 census.
The Ackroyd family on the 1901 census
In 1911 Margaret was working as a dressmaker, as was their landlady Emma. Daniel was described as a clog sole maker. Percy, now 14, was working as a telegraph messenger. His younger brother William was 9, and still at school.
Percy began work as a VAD on 16th August 1915, working as a hospital orderly and sick nurse, as well as convoy duties. This would have likely involved in assisting in transporting sick and wounded soldiers from the railway station to the hospitals. Percy worked from Spencer Street Auxiliary Hospital. He worked full time, for a total of 9,600 hours, until 18th April 1919.
On 24th December at the age of 24, Percy married Doris Thornton at Alice Street Primitive Methodist Chapel. His occupation was draper's salesman. They had a son, Dennis, born on 15th March 1923.
Percy and Doris's marriage record
By the time of the 1939 Register the family lived in Riddlesden at 7 Smithville. Percy's occupation was a salesman clerk in the coal trade, and he went on to work full time with the ARP Service during World War 2. Dennis was working as an apprentice greengrocer.
The 1939 Register
Percy remained at Smithville until his death on 1st July 1968.
Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1935
West Yorkshire, Non-Conformist Records, 1646-1985
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1939 England and Wales Register
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
