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7465 Sergeant Thomas Henry Perks, 3rd Volunteer Battalion 1st Welsh Regiment. Died of enteric fever, off the Isle of Wight, on 20th June 1901, aged 26.

The windows are in St. Catherine's Church, Pontypridd.



A Detachment parade of the 3rd Welsh Volunteers was held at the Horse and Groom Hotel, Pontypridd, on Friday night, for the purpose of enrolling the names of those desiring to serve in South Africa. The following is a list of those who gave in their names : -
2nd Lieutenant R. D. Griffiths, solicitor.
Sergeant T. F. Beazer, mason.
Corporal T. J. Pugh, mason.
Private A. E. Hughes, fitter.
Private H. J. Lipscombe, tailor.
Private S. A. Thomas, painter.
Private W. Fernandez, collier.
Private John Evans, collier.
Cyclist J. F. McIntosh, draper.
Private Ap John, tailor.
Cyclist Alfred Bryant, surveyor, Llantwit Vardre.
Cyclist T. A. Lewis, surveyor, Llantwit Vardre.
Private J. F. K. Grover, surveyor, Caerphilly.
Private B. Ellis, collier.
Private Henry Ewens, mason.
Private R. Walker, bank cashier.
Private D. Rosser, collier.
Private J. Thomas, wheelwright.

Waiting Company of the Detachment under the command of Major Hill-Male : -
Corporal Perks, grocer, Coedpenmaen.
Corporal G. Davies, plumber.
Private D. Williams, collier.
Private E. S. Ketch, drayman.
The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News, Saturday 19th January 1901

Pontypridd turned out in right royal fashion last evening to give a send-off to Major Hill-Male and Troopers Stanley Grover, S. Davies, D. Ellis, G. Jones, and Police-constables Diament and J. Thomas, of the Teomanry, and Corporal Perks and Private Williams, of the waiting company.
There was a procession of the Volunteers, police, fire brigades, &c., from the armoury, and, having paraded the town, they retired to the new Town-hall, where a capital smoking concert was held.
Tea, coffee, cigarettes, &c., were supplied, and the men presented by Mrs Gordon Lenox with silver cigarette and match-boxes, and Major Hill-Male with a powerful field-glass by Captain R. A. Lewis.
Judge Williams made a rousing address on Welsh loyalty. Speeches were also given by the vicar (the Rev. J. P. Griffiths), Father M'Manus, Captain J. T. Davies, and glees were given by the Treforest Male Voice Party, songs by Mr. Chubb, Mr. Farne, Mr. Brookes, Miss Coslett, and Madame Rowlands, and recitations by Mr. Evans (Havod), Mr. Spickett (Caerphilly), Mr. Evans, and Mr. Ford (Pontypridd). Trooper Grover was also presented by Mrs Hill-Male, on behalf of Captain A. O. Evans's staff, with various articles. Police-constables Diament and Thomas also received further presentations on Thursday from their comrades in the Pontypridd Police Force.
Evening Express, 14th February 1901



Corporal T. H. Perks, of the 3rd V.B. Welsh Waiting Company was made the recipient of a handsome and serviceable Military Dressing Case at a social gathering specially got up by the teachers and scholars of St. Matthew's Sunday School in the above schoolroom on Tuesday last week. Mr Perks has for years been secretary of the school, and it was thought by all that now would be a fit occasion to present him with some token in recognition of his loyal and faithful services. The room was grandly decorated by the Young Men's Bible Class, and the tables contained a variety of good things provided gratis by the lady teachers and scholars. The arrival of Mr Perks was greeted with much cheering, which was kept going for some minutes. Major Hill-Male was also accorded a very hearty welcome. The tables were graciously presided over by lady members of the church. After tea a musical and dramatic evening was given, presided over by Mr H. J. Matthews, The Cedars (superintendent of the Junior Division). Songs were given by the Rev. J. Thomas, Miss Hattie Seal, Miss G. Jones, and Mr Lionel Eborne, and a very humorous sketch entitled "Rumpus," was most creditably performed by Messrs. George Morgan, T. Real, Lionel Eborne, W. Pike, and Frank James. Miss Hattie Snape and Miss M. Morris presided at the piano. The presentation was made by the Rev. James Thomas, who said he regretted parting with Mr Perks, even though it might be only for a short time. Mr Perks had worked with him faithfully and well - always loyal and obedient. He had not resigned his office, but only asked another to take it up temporarily. He (the speaker) therefore, was glad to be privileged to make him the present on behalf of the teachers and scholars because he was still in office. He wished him a successful campaign, and a safe and speedy return.
Mr Perks very suitably responded, and said he considered it a duty to work in the church and Sunday School, and thought it was a great honour and privilege to be able to do so, and hoped to be home soon again. He thanked them all very sincerely for their kindness. (Cheers).
The Vicar then spoke and said St. Matthews ought to be proud in sending such a worthy example as Mr Perks to the front. (Cheers).
Major Hill-Male also rose amidst great cheering, to address the meeting, and ventured to tell them that when Corporal Perks returned they would find that he would be a better man physically and morally than he was even now. (Loud cheering).
Three ringing cheers were raised for Major Hill-Male and Corporal Perks, and all present stood up to sing "For they are jolly good fellows."
After the usual votes of thanks had been given, the National Anthem closed a very enjoyable but affecting evening.
The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News, Saturday 23rd February 1901

The tramp Wakool arrived at Southampton on Saturday. There were three Welshmen on board who were going to Netley. Sergeant Parkes, of the Volunteer Company 1st Welsh Regiment, died of enteric fever off the Needles, and was buried at sea,
It is possible that the Sergeant "Parkes" mentioned is Sergeant Perks, of Pontypridd, who left with the Active Service Volunteer Company commanded by Major Hill-Male for South Africa last February. While at the barracks at Cardiff Perks was promoted from corporal to sergeant. He was invalided home, and was known to be on this boat, and was a week ago reported to be dangerously ill of fever. He was a very promising young man, and was manager of Mr. Harry Davies's grocery establishment at Coedpenmaen. He hailed from Tintern, where his widowed mother resides. His brother served with Colonel Plumer in the Rhodesian Horse, and after the relief of Mafeking, was a scout under Baden-Powell.
Weekly Mail, Saturday 29th June 1901
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DEATH OF SERGT. PERKS. - Sergt. Perks, of Pontypool, who went out to South Africa a few months ago with the Welsh Regiment, succumbed to enteric when the transport bringing him home was off the Isle of Wight. Sergt. Perks is a native of Tintern, where his mother is now residing.
The County Observer, Saturday 29th June 1901
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On Monday night a meeting at the Parish Rooms, Pontypridd, decided that as a memorial to the late Sergeant Perks, of the Volunteer Active Service Company, who died of enteric fever last Friday week and was buried at sea just within sight of the English shores, a window shall be erected in the parish church.
The Pembrokeshire Herald, Friday 5th July 1901

At St Katherine's Church, Pontypridd, on Sunday, Colonel Gaskell, commanding officer of the 3rd V.B. Welsh Regiment, unveiled a beautiful stained-glass window in memory of the late Sergeant T. H. Perks, who was buried at sea off the Needles in June last. Sergeant Perks left for South Africa in February last with Major Hill-Male in the Second Service Company, but being stricken with fever he was invalided home, and, as mentioned, died on board ship. He was very popular at Pontypridd, and for a long time had been secretary of St. Matthew's Sunday School. The unveiling ceremony attracted much attention, the local detachment, accompanied by a number of the Service Company, marching to church. The officers present included Colonel Gaskell, Colonel A. P. James, Captains J. S. Davies and R. A. Lewis, and Lieutenant J. G. Jones. The Vicar (the Rev. J. P. Griffiths) delivered an impressive sermon on "Though dead he yet speaketh," and pointed out that Sergeant Perks had sacrificed a life full of promise and hope, a life honoured, respected, and loved. After the window had been unveiled by Colonel Gaskell the "Last Post" was played by the Volunteer Band.
Evening Express, Monday 28th October 1901