Percy Hazell (buried 1928)

Towards the end of the 1880's, the Hazell family moved into no.5 Wallace Cottages, Wallace Lane (now Avenue). This was a terrace of workers cottages mainly occupied by men who worked at the nearby nurseries. The family consisted of Rachel a widow, her two daughters Minnie and Louisa, her son Arthur and his wife Harriet. Their son Percy was born in 1889 and baptised at Heene church. Rachel died soon afterwards. Arthur and Harriet continued to live in Wallace Lane until 1910 when Harriet died. Arthur and his sons moved to 78 The Drive and continued to work in the nurseries. On 1st September 1914, Percy enlisted and joined the 1st Royal Field Artillery Regiment. He was promoted to sergeant in October. The following year, he married Winifred Georgina Braden at Heene. She worked at the local laundry and lived at 22 Elm Grove with her brother Henry's family. Percy was posted to France with the British Expeditionary Force in December 1917. Winifred gave birth to their son, Percy Bernard the following August. Percy survived the war but was hospitalised with influenza in November 1918. He survived this too and left the army in February 1919.

Percy started work for Worthing Corporation in their macadam works and was eventually promoted to foreman. On 2nd October 1928, he was working at the Corporation's destructor works when he climbed on the roof of the building and attempted to straighten out a pipe. Unfortunately, he slipped, fell backwards and plunged through the roof. He was taken to hospital but died on 20th October from his injuries. At the inquest, a representative from the council offered their sympathies to Percy's widow. She received no compensation. Winifred continued to live at 78 The Drive and bring up her son. She died in March 1932 aged only 41 and was buried with Percy.