Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.

Detail :

His death is reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 21st October 1918 - "DEATH OF CAPT.P.K. RUTTLEY - The news will be received with deep regret of the death at Rhyl, on Saturday, of Captain Percy Kemp Ruttley, Welsh Regiment, attached to brigade headquarters at Kimmel Camp. Owing to internal troubles with arose from his being wounded in the Somme fighting in July, 1916, he had not enjoyed good health for a considerable time. Aged only 29 years, Captain Ruttley was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Ruttley, Pentre, Glamorganshire, and in civilian life was a physical instructor under the Glamorganshire education authority."

The Western Mail on 22nd October reports that the Funeral will take place at "Kinmel Camp, Rhyl. [...] Internment would take place at Treorky Cemetery leaving the house at Three o'clock Thursday. Military Funeral. Gentlemen only."

Cornishman 30th October 1918: "With much regret we announce the death of a gallant young Welsh officer, Capt. Percy Kemp Ruttley, who died after a week's illness from influenza. Capt. Ruttley was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Ruttley, of Pentre, Rhondda Valley. He was 29 years of age. When war broke out he joined the Swansea Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, went to France, and was wounded at the battle of Somme. He subsequently became physical drill instructor, and was attached to brigade head-quarters. Capt. Ruttley was married to Miss M. Batchelor, of Swansea, in March 1916, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, London. As a lad, he was well-known at Penzance, where he made many friends, and for several years in succession he assisted Professor Hicks at his annual benefit at Penzance baths, performing some remarkable feats, high diving, etc. Capt. Ruttley was a nephew of Mr. W.J. Kemp and Miss Nellie Kemp, of High-street, Penzance. The funeral took place at Rhyl with full military honours. The Caradoc Lodge of Freemasons sent a handsome wreath, and a number of officials represented the Lodge."

Masonic :

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley