Bulls
Road Cemetery, Flers.
Picture courtesy of Mike &
Rosemarie Thomas
NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post
of Monday 30 October 1916
Roll of Honour. It is with sincere regret
we record the death which took place in action on 6
October last of Company Sergeant Major Thomas Alfred
Perkins of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. It was only
on 6 September last that the London Gazette stated that
His Majesty the King had been pleased to award Company
Sergeant Major Perkins the Military Cross "For
conspicuous gallantry during operations. When his Company
officers had been disabled he carried on with great
coolness and courage during three days of intense bombardment.
He moved freely about to keep the men at work."
Company Sergeant Major Perkins was expected in England
to receive the Cross but unfortunately he has made the
supreme sacrifice before he could be honoured by his
King and Countrymen. It will be remembered that the
hero's father resided with his family at Bolton House,
Pier Road. and though much over age loyally volunteered,
but in March 1915 caught a chill whilst engaged in recruiting
duties and died after a few days illness. Another son
was also killed in action the following May, whilst
two other sons are still with the Colours. We offer
Mrs Perkins and family, who now reside in Reading, our
sincere sympathy in their bereavement.
Military Cross Citation - London
Gazette, September 28th 1916 no. 12992
6859 Coy S/M Thomas Alfred Perkins, R.Berks.
R
For conspicuous gallantry during operations.
When his company officers had been disabled he carried
on with great coolness and courage during thress days
of intense bombardment. He moved freely about to keep
the men at work.
