Personal
Information
Sheet
Name: Percy John Hatchett
DOB: 20th January 1906
Rank: Private
Service Identity Number: 6194537
Service/Regiment/Corp: Middlesex Regiment
Unit: 1st Battalion
Died: 1st/2nd October 1942
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Percy was the sixth (of eight) children born to James Hatchett and Mary Baker, born at 2 Plum Tree Cottages, Goat Lane, Enfield. His eldest two brothers died fighting in WWI. At age 15, Percy was a Horticultural Labourer at Albany Road Nursery, Enfield Highway. Percy signed up for the army on 21st July 1921, at age 15, though he gave his age as 18 and 181 days (DoB 11/01/1903). At his sign up, he was described as 119lbs, 5ft 5 1/2 inches, dark complexion, brown eyes & black hair. His faith was Roman Catholic, same as his mother. 1922, Percy was posted to Germany. Before WWII, he also had postings in Palestine, Egypt, China and Singapore.
Throughout his military career, Percy was a keen sportsman, partaking in the regiment's hockey, football and rugby teams. In 1922, he came 3rd in the half-mile. In 1928, he even placed 1st in the ‘potato race’. That same year, Percy also won the Light-Heavy Boxing Championships at the Catterick Garrison, for which he received a cup.
In 1930, Percy is mentioned in "The Die-Hards", the Journal of the Middlesex Regiment
"It is reported that L/Cpl Hatchett (Choppers), the librarian and well-known frequenter of the Damp Bar, has been experimenting as to how to obtain Youngers by wireless … Members of the Club were filled with a feeling of admiration when a certain person walked into the Club with two fine old masterpieces [prints] under his arm, one depicting the Youngers Young Old Man, and the other Players, Please. It was rumoured that he intended to present them to the club, but being rather shy, he took them home, probably to adorn the walls of his bunk."
On 2nd January 1932, Percy was promoted to Corporal. But a few months later, he reverted to Private at his own request.
Percy John Hatchett was a beloved son, brother, and uncle. His niece, Joan Andrews (daughter of Percy's sister, Edith) adored him in particular. And Percy brought her back a doll from China during his time posted there. Joan spoke of him often throughout her life.
On 29th December 1941, Percy is mentioned in the Daily Herald, in an article entitled, "Cockneys All Diehards at Hong Kong"
"Japan got the biggest and brightest collection of Cockneys in the British Army when the 1st Middlesex Battalion surrendered at Hong Kong … 'For instance,' chimed in Regimental Sergt-major Marshall, 'there were "Chopper" Hatchett and Private Bell Law, of Ponders End ...' "
A cutting of this article was kept by Percy's mother in her bedside table.
In Tony Banham's book, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, Percy is mentioned
"In the top tier of number two hold, at least, the living space had been divided by rough wooden slats into 'cubicles' … the adjoining cubicle housed the beri beri victims, including ... Percy Hatchett
" ... Private 'Chopper' Hatchett, Private Harry Whitehouse, and Bandsman Johnny Hymes are said to have thrown guards overboard with no further loss to themselves ... Hope, Panting, Hatchett, Whitehouse then made for the captain's cabin. Here they found two bottles of Suntory whisky. On empty stomachs, the effects were huge and almost instantaneous ... "
"Waves breaking over the deck washed the sick and wounded there into the sea with everyone else. Hope, Panting, Hatchett, and Whitehouse, the Middlesex die-hards who had so much fun drinking captured Japanese whisky and serenading the departing POWs, disappeared forever as the seas close over the boat."
No-one in Percy Hatchett's family at the time had ever learnt how to swim.
.jpg/Percy-Hatchett---Rugby-May-1925-(2).jpg "1st Battalion Middlesex rugby team 1924-25 including Percy John Hatchett, lost in the sinking of the Lisbon Maru.")
.jpg/Percy-John-Hatchett-(Year-Unknown).jpg "Image of unknown location and date of Percy John Hatchett, 1st Battalion Middlesex, lost in the sinking of the Lisbon Maru.")
The above information was provided by Neil Andrews, great nephew of Percy John Hatchett.
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