Final Resting Place For Percy

Percy’s ashes remain in the same urn they were originally placed in

A World War One veteran, whose ashes went unclaimed for 60 years, has finally been granted a final resting place alongside his family in Market Harborough.

Percy Arthur, who was born in Market Harborough, joined the Royal Navy 1910 and served for eight years before settling in the United States.

He died in 1956, aged 68, although his ashes got sent to another family in error, where they sat in a niche for over five decades.

After an American researcher discovered what had happened, she contacted Harborough Council who confirmed Percy’s parents and sister are buried at the cemetery on Northampton Road, where his remains have now been placed.

Percy’s ashes remain in a copper urn (pictured below) made by patients at the Oregon State Hospital, where he died.

Cllr Paul Dann, who has responsibility at Harborough District Council for cemeteries, said: “This is such a fascinating story; we are so grateful to Phyllis for getting in touch with the Council so Percy’s ashes could rightfully be brought back to his hometown to allow his final resting place to be alongside his family. As a WW1 veteran from the Harborough district, this was the least we could do for Percy – particularly so close to Remembrance Day.”