Percy Gordon Latimer

Percy Gordon Latimer was born in 1885 in Echuca, Victoria, to George Latimer and Julia Maud, nee Binney. He was the youngest of ten children. At some stage before 1916, Percy was a baker in Corryong, Victoria.

On 14th October 1916, he enlisted at Brunswick, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 29-year-old baker living at 58 Park St, West Brunswick, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 601 and placed in the 10th reinforcements for the 2nd Machine Gun Company. Percy gave his next of kin as his mother, Julia Latimer, his father having passed away when Percy was only 11 at Violet Town. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A5 Omrah at Melbourne, Victoria, on 17th January 1917.

During his enlistment period, he was also a member of the 21st Machine Gun Company, having been transferred to that unit on 25th September 1917. 

On 4th October 1917, Percy was severely wounded by shellfire. The 23rd April 1936 edition of the Corryong Courier contained an article on Percy’s experiences.

“A Digger Marvel

Under the above caption ‘Smith’s Weekly’ says: Percy S. [sic] Latimer is a living example of what a human being can stand. A fine figure of a man. 6ft high and weighing 15st 6lb, he enlisted in the 21st M.G. Co. in 1916 and bore a charmed life until October 4, 1917, when he was wounded at Passchendale, the grave yard of many Australian. The shell that got him, blinded him in the left eye, and shrapnel penetrated both legs, inflicting severe wounds. After a spell in Caiera Hospital in France, he was taken to a London Hospital at Mile End with septic head and legs.

One of Percy’s most pleasant memories while in this hospital was an unofficial visit from King George V, accompanied by the Mayor of Stepney Green. During a twenty minutes chat with His Majesty, Percy told him that he would like to souvenir the top of his cane.

“You only have got one eye” said the King, laughing, “and yet you, like your brother Australians, use it to look for souvenirs.”

Shortly after the King’s visit, Percy was invalided back to Australia and entered the Caulfield Repatriation Hospital where he had both legs amputated above the knee. He spent nearly 10 years there.

Today, Percy gets around in his special wheeled chair or uses his little crutches and in spite of the great handicap of having both legs off, left eye blinded and mustard gas burns, he is 12st 4lb of energy and cheerfulness.

(Many of our readers will no doubt remember Percy).”

On 8th April 1918, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A63 Karoola, with the rank of Private. He was discharged on 29th November 1918 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Percy lived with one of his sisters, Ada Horsley, in South Road, Moorabbin, after being discharged from hospital. He was a keen amateur fisherman. When he lost his boat in a storm, the residents of Moorabbin presented him with a new one.

Percy passed away on 15th March 1944 at Caulfield, Victoria and was buried in Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria.