Trafford

Born on the 14th May 1888 in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, [during the June quarter
1888 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/888]  the son of James & Percy Ann
Courtman (nee Wolstencroft).  [His mother's unusual female forename is
correct]

1891 Census - 261 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester.  Son - aged: 2 - born:
Manchester.  Head of household - James Courtman - Married - aged: 39 - occ:
Estate & Insurance Agent - born: Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire. Also -
Percy Ann Courtman - Wife - aged: 40 - born: Hollinwood, Lancashire.   Plus
5 siblings.

Attended William Hulme Grammar School 1899 - 1903.

1901 Census - 491 Stretford Road, Stretford.     Son - aged: 12 - born:
Manchester.    Head of household - James Courtman - Married - aged: 49 -
occ: Estate Agent & Tax Collector - born: Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire.   
Also - Percy Ann Courtman - Wife - aged: 50 - born: Hollinwood, Lancashire.
  Plus 5 siblings and 1 domestic servant.

1911 Census - 562 Stretford Road, Old Trafford.     Son - Unmarried - aged:
22 - occ: Estate Agents Clerk - born: Manchester.    Head of household -
James Courtman - Married - aged: 59 - occ: Tax Collector And Estate Agent -
born: Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire.    Also - Percy Ann Courtman - Wife -
aged: 60 - born: Hollinwood, Lancashire.   Plus 4 siblings.

A member of the Old Trafford Swimming Club, he took part in the 1908 London
Olympic Games, but came second in his heat and did not progress to the
semi-finals.  Four years later, he won a bronze medal in the 400 metres
Breastroke in the 1912 Stockholme Olympics. 

The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser dated the 18th
June 1914 records that at Victoria Baths, Manchester Percy set a new world
record of 2 minutes, 39.4-5 seconds, for the 200 metres breaststroke,
breaking the 3 minute barrier for the first time, a record that would not
be beaten for another 59 years.

Percy enlisted in 1914 and was drafted to Gallipoli as replacements on the
17th August 1915.   The battalion finished their Gallipoli tour at
Geogheghan's Bluff and embarked from 'V' Beach for Mudros on the 29th
December 1915.

His MIC states that he was a Private in the Manchester Rgt - No. 30121,
later No. 250755.  He was posted to Gallipoli on the 17th August 1915.

Death reported in the 14th June 1917 edition of the Manchester Evening
News.   M.I. - "International breaststoke record champion swimmer".

His elder brother - James Ernest Courtman, served with the 23rd Battalion,
Manchester Rgt and was killed at Passchendaele on the 22nd October 1917.