179th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 6 February 1918.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 4 December 1916.

Dewhurst was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

Formerly Private, West Yorkshire Regiment with whom he served in the Boer War 1899-1902.

The citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, published in the London Gazette reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. A large ammunition dump, near which he was working, was set on fire by hostile shelling. He, with some other men, at once ran across and commenced to put out the fire. One man was wounded, the remainder returning, but this sapper continued on alone, under continuous shelling, and finally the fire was extinguished".

The Burnley Express reported at various dates, MILITARY MEDAL AWARDED TO BOER WAR HERO. A Military Medal has been awarded to Sapper Percy Dewhurst, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Eli Dewhurst, formerly of the Inkermann Inn, Accrington Road, Burnley. Sapper Dewhurst fought in the South African War, and has been in France since December, 1914. He has two brothers in France, also a brother in law, whilst another brother in law is with the West York's in Bermuda. Sapper P. Dewhurst was once a member of Dover F.C. His wife resides at Lancaster.

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL FOR BOER WAR HERO. Percy Dewhurst, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Eli Dewhurst, 16, Villiers Street, Burnley, formerly of the Inkermann Inn, Accrington Road, Burnley, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In November last year he was awarded the Military Medal. He has been in France since December, 1914. His brother George Edward has been in France since August, 1914, and another brother, Arthur, is in hospital. He has three brothers in law serving, Private M. Torkington is in France, Private H. C. Pearse is in Bermuda and Private H. Eastham is in England. Sapper P. Dewhurst was once a member of Dover F.C. His wife resides at Lancaster. In a letter, Sapper Dewhurst, at the front says, "I am very pleased to inform you that I have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. I will tell you what I did for it when I come home on leave. My captain said it was a mad dash. Of course we are all mad from Burnley. My C. O. Major Carr, M.C. said, you now have the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal - next the Victoria Cross. I am going up in stages". BURNLEY CORPORAL WOUNDED. Corporal Percy Dewhurst, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Eli Dewhurst, 16, Villiers Street, Burnley, formerly of the Inkermann Inn, Accrington Road, Burnley, has had his thumb and two fingers blown of his right hand, and the middle of his left hand knocked out. He went to France in 1914, and won the M.M. and D.C.M. His wife had a letter from his captain saying he has lost his best man. Corporal Dewhurst has two brothers and a sister in France, three brothers in law are also serving. He at one time assisted Dover Football Club. His wife and two children reside at Lancaster. He is at present in hospital at Leicester.

Percy Dewhurst was born at Burnley circa 1880, the son of Eli and Sarah Dewhurst.

On the 1881 Census he is to be found living at 12, Escott Street, Burnley at which time his father is described as being a Colliery Underviewer.

On the 1891 Census he is to be found living at the Inkermann Inn, 236, Accrington Road, Burnley at which time his father is described as a Beer House Keeper.

In the late 1890's whilst employed as a collier, Percy got involved in a dispute over wages which ended in a fight at one of the local coal mines, following which he was "blacklisted". Shortly afterwards he crossed into Yorkshire by rail and enlisted into the West Yorkshire Regiment. In the early part of the 19th Century he was living in the Dover area, working at Snowdown Pit and playing football for Dover F.C. with whom he was a prolific goal scorer (see right).

At the outbreak of war in 1914 he enlisted at Dover into the West Yorkshire Regiment (10342 L/Corporal), later transferring to the Royal Engineers. Percy served in the Home Guard in Lancaster, Lancashire during World War 2. Whilst working in the Lancaster area as a postman he is thought to have received the Imperial Service Medal on his retirement.